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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL Britain’s Theresa May seeks a mandate General elections are not due in Britain until 2020, but on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May called a General election for June 8, 2017. It was a surprise announcement as she attempts to solidify her leadership position in order to negotiate Britain’s exit from the European Union from a position of strength. British General elections are held every five years under the Fixed Term Parliament Act which was enacted in 2011. Former Tory leader, David Cameron, won the 2015 election. However, the majority party can seek to call early or what is known as “snap” elections, should it choose. The House of Commons is expected to approve May’s plan for a snap election. The Prime Minister has stated that Britain needs certainty, stability and strong leadership and those can only be guaranteed by a strong mandate from the people. Currently, the Conservative Party has a small majority in the 650 seat Parliament, but recent polls show that it has a commanding lead over the Labor Party and will be elected with a substantial majority as it begins the arduous task of negotiating Brexit. So, it is a sensible move by May to call the elections now. Prime Minister May realized that she was not elected but was elevated to the position of the leader of the Conservative Party and became the Prime Minister of Britain during the turbulent days of June 2016, after her predecessor David Cameron resigned following his defeat in the Brexit referendum by 52 percent. As such, May felt that it would be difficult for her to push through Britain Ó–0+Ó–s exit from Europe¯the biggest political shift in British national identity in decades, without a political mandate. Winning the election would not only solidify her position as leader of the Conservative Party, but would also allow her to claim that the public has backed her plan to extract Britain from the European Union. The Labour Party which is the traditional rival of the Conservative Party is currently in disarray due to its leader, Jeremy Corbyn’s, contentious and left-wing policies, most of which are not even supported by a majority of his own MPs. Theresa May has no democratic mandate and her popularity of over 50 percent is unusually high, if not unprecedented in recent times. By calling a snap election, May hopes to take advantage of the Labour Party’s crisis and increase the number of her party’s seats in Parliament, thus giving her more room to push through her own policy agenda as well, including education reform. Article 50 of the European Union Act gives Britain exactly two years to withdraw, but two years may not be enough time to complete the negotiation which is enormous in scope and extremely complex. The possibility exists that Britain could leave the EU before the negotiations are completed and the talks could continue for several more years. There is also the possibility that the two sides may not be able to reach agreement, which could involve risks of serious economic damage to the EU but more so to Britain. Brexit has taken a toll on the British economy. Many banks and financial institutions in the world’s premier financial centre, London, have already made plans to scale down their operations and relocate to Frankfurt, Paris and Ireland. Job losses are estimated to be as high as 30,000. Meanwhile, there has been a significant depreciation of the sterling and an increase in the cost of living. However, those who advocated for Britain to leave Europe are convinced that the gains will outweigh the losses. The gains seem to be those which constitute intangible objectives of national pride and the losses are tangible quantifiable losses. Hopefully, with time, Britain will recover and achieve the hopes borne by those who voted for it to exit the EU. Whatever happens, the road ahead could be long and arduous for both sides.
Friday April 23, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
One shudders to think what sociology he indoctrinates his students with Dear Editor, I have long held the belief that some of the most vulgar sociological thoughts come from people who preach religion, and this goes for all denominations. In my life on this earth, some of the most obnoxious people I have encountered and read about are religious people who preach the word of God. I could never bring myself to refer to Juan Edghill as a bishop. Mr. Edghill once tried to have me imprisoned for my journalism. I could never bring myself to use the word swami in from of the name of Hindu preacher Aksharananda. I find Mr. Aksharananda’s hypocrisy simply unbearable. I refer to his latest, the contents of which I am revolted by. I feel I have a deep obligation to the
readers of newspapers all over this country to reply to his miasmic semantics. As for his gutter attacks on me; Aksharananda is just another Freddie Kissoon hater I couldn’t be bothered with I hold the inflexible belief that such a poisonous and bigoted mind should never be in charge of a school. Aksharananda reminds me of how destroyed a society Guyana is. Here are some of the appallingly egregious opinions of this man and his obnoxiously demagogic sermonizing. He wrote; “Both (Ravi Dev and Ryhaan Shah) of these writers are educational and informative and, above all, honest. The issues that they have raised and continue to speak about are not different
from those articulated by people who almost on a daily basis complained about disenfranchisement, marginalization and discrimination perpetuated by the previous administration.” How can anyone be honest when the previous government held power for 23 years and Ryhaan Shah was nowhere to be seen and when she was seen in those 23 years, her comments were never about the victims of marginalization and discrimination but about the East Indians of Guyana needing to be on equal par with Africans in the police force and the public service. If there is anything about Shah and Dev it certainly is not honesty. Dev has never (Continued on page 5)
Sunday April 23, 2017
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The court compelled the Attorney-General to do what I requested of him DEAR EDITOR, The Deeds and Commercial Registries (Amendment) Bill was published in the Official Gazette on the 24th January 2017. It was laid in the National Assembly on the 9th February 2017 by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. This amendment seeks to amend the principal Act, to inter alia, empower the Minister of Legal Affairs to act in place of the Governing Board of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (DCRA) when that Board is not appointed. The Act vests in the said Minister a mandatory obligation to appoint the said Board. This Authority was specifically created to insulate the operations of the Deeds and Commercial Registries from ministerial inter-
ference and to vest in the Governing Board the powers and responsibilities for the overall management as well as the day to day activities of the Authority. In order to defeat the policy objective of the Act and to contaminate the operations at the Registry with his political hand, the Minister of Legal Affairs refused to appoint a Governing Board since the last one expired in June 2016. The Minister now seeks to amend the principal Act to say that when there is no Governing Board, the Minister shall act instead and in place of the Board! This must be one of the worst expressions of political and authoritarian chicanery of this Government thus far. As a result, I wrote to the Minister on the 27th January 2017, call-
ing upon him to forthwith appoint a Governing Board pursuant to the statutory obligations contained in the Act. I threatened legal action if he failed to do so. Expectedly, I received no response. On the 7th March 2017, I launched legal proceedings, in my own name. On the 8th day of March 2017, the Honourable Justice Brassington Reynolds granted an order nisi of mandamus compelling the Minister of Legal Affairs to appoint the members of the DCRA, in accordance with the aforesaid Act and for the Minister to show cause why the order nisi of mandamus should not be made absolute. In another exhibition of poor professional judgement and a lack of appreciation for rudimentary principles of law, rather than appoint the Gov-
One shudders to thinks what... From page 4 once written even one line calling for equality in the access to resources of Guyana and that is because he, Shah and Aksharananda himself, are content with Indian domination of the economy. Here is Aksharananda’s nauseating bigotry; “What sense of hope are we supposed to have when hundreds of Indians were removed from various state offices? Why should we be not concerned about the trend of authoritarianism that is once again raising its head in Guyana?” Make no mistake that when this so-called swami, this pretender to religion writes about “authoritarianism that is once raising its head again in Guyana” he means the rule of the PNC from 1964 to 1992. He leaves out the period in Guyanese history that is the worst the British West Indies has ever seen – the reign of the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabals. It
was a period when even in the ugly days of Burnhamism, the state had not reached the level of fascistization that we saw under Jagdeo. Over five hundred African young men between the age of 18 and 40 were brutally murdered by agents of the state. People like Aksharananda make me feel angry, livid but sad that Guyana could produce such people who hold sway over young Indian minds. Surely, Guyana should comment on Aksharananda’s excessive bigotry just as this so-called swami did when the Christian preacher went into Central High School. This socalled swami referred to the dismissal of hundreds of East Indians by the present government but is too indecent to look at the other side of the coin. Perhaps they got their jobs through the displacement of other persons who held those jobs but were of a different race.
This so-called holy man used vulgar semantics to describe other people just as Shah does in the Bobby Ramroop newspaper that Ravi Dev is in charge of. But he does not mention this because after all, if he does, then his attempt to paint an elegant picture of his fellow tribalists falls down. Maybe he doesn’t read the newspaper Ravi Dev is in charge of so he would know how deep in the gutter are the people he heaps praise on; but really, you think Aksharananda cares. I shudder to think what this man tells those young minds at his school when the discussion is one on the leadership of the present government. But it shouldn’t surprise anyone what he would say, after all people like the so-called swami would be familiar with the caste system and where Africans sit on the caste ladder Frederick Kissoon
erning Board, the Minister contested the application. The case was eventually heard by the Honourable Justice Nareshwar Harnanan. The Attorney General, in personand yours truly, presented detailed arguments to the Court on the 5th day of April 2017. On the 19th day of April 2017, the Judge delivered an 18-page ruling. In deference to the Honourable Judge As pointed out earlier, the Minister with responsibility for the administration of the Act is the Minister of Legal Affairs. Nowhere in the affidavits, or other documentary evidence before the Court, is there a contention that the Hon. Minister of Legal Affairs, in his administration of the Act, invited nominations for appointment as members of the Governing Board, from the respective organizations or sectors as stated in the Act. This Court is of the view that there is a concomitant duty on the Minister with responsibility for the administration of the Act to take active steps in the appointment of the Governing Board of the Authority, which will involve inviting nominations, and processing them per the Executive’s policy, towards eventual appointment to the Governing Board. This Court would not, and cannot intervene in the policy considerations for the selection of actual members of the Board, which remains within the realm of the Executive arm of government. However, where there is a clear statutory duty to act, and there is inaction and/or refusal to preform that statutory duty, the Court must intervene when called upon by an aggrieved party, enforcing an adherence to the rule of law in the ap-
propriate circumstance. The further contention by the Hon. Attorney General regarding the material disclosure by the applicant in his failure to state in his application that there is a proposed amendment to the extant DCRA currently before Parliament is also without merit. The uncontradicted fact before the Court is that since on or about June 2016, the life of the Governing Board of the DCRA expired. To date, there is nothing before the court which suggests that steps are or were taken to have that Board re-appointed or reconstituted. The promulgation of a proposed amendment of the extant Act, does not operate as a stay on the statutory obligations contained therein. Even so, according to the Hon. Attorney General, this proposed amendment was only tabled in Parliament in the latter part of January, 2017, approximately 7 months after the life of the Governing Board expired. It is factual that there was no Governing Board for some 7 months before a proposed amendment was tabled in Parliament. To date, the Authority is without a Governing Board. Whilst the Court can take judicial notice of the proposed amendment, there is no clear timeline at the stage of the current parliamentary process, at least up to the date of his ruling, that the proposed amendment will be passed ad assented to. For such a vital statutory entity to be without a Governing Board, for such an extended time, is clearly an untenable situation. It would indeed be a shirk-
ing of the Court’s constitutional mandate to not exercise its jurisdiction in the most apt of circumstances, outlined herein. The Court welcomes the undertakings by the Hon. Minister of Legal Affairs in open court, when he says he will appoint the Governing Board, as soon as the amendment to the principal Act is passed. Notwithstanding, the Court views his continued failure to appoint the members of the Governing Board for which he has the statutory responsibility, in accordance with the current provisions of DCRA, more specifically, sections 5(20(a)(f)(g) and (h) and 6(4), to be unjustifiable. The failure to preform that statutory duty, even when called upon to discharge those obligations, clearly illustrates a ‘wrongful inaction’ as coined by Wade and Forsythe, cited earlier. In the circumstances, there being i n s u f f i c i e n t cause shown on the part of the Hon. Minister of Legal Affairs, the order or rule nisi of mandamus issued on the 8th day of March, 2017 is accordingly made absolute. There will be costs to the Applicant in the sum of $100,000.00 to be paid within 3 months of the date of this ruling.” In short, the AG has been ordered by the High Court to do exactly what I requested him to do in a letter 4 months ago. If he still refuses to do so, he shall be in contempt of Court. Let us see how far he is prepared to push his luck. Anil Nandlall
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Let’s forestall a false start
I saw politeness and professionalism in these public servants
DEAR EDITOR, I was pleased to see the letter from Mr. E. B. John, a leader and one of my mentors in Human Resource Management, complaining like I did earlier, about the insipidity of the Ad for entrants to the Bertram Collins College of Public Service. As a matter of fact, Mr. John is one of a galaxy of Human Resource Management professionals with whom I have had the benefit of working in the 1960’s—1970’s, the halcyon heyday of HRM in Guyana; included among
these were the trail blazers liked Dr Bertram Collins and Harold B Davis. They initiated an enviable track record of world class professional HRM. I am now inclined to the view that those responsible for setting up the Bertram Collins College of Public Service should do some further reflection in order to pre-empt a faux pas. After all, Human Resource Management is a core function of staff development which inevitably is the raison d’etrefor the College. Nowrang Persaud
Emblazoning Joe Harmon who hasn’t performed as yet DEAR EDITOR, I hereby comment on the praiseworthy letter “Simona T. Broomes waxes lyrical about Minister Harmon” published two days ago in your newspaper 1. Yes lyrical indeed but to what purpose? 2. Is this politician’s daughter seeking employment or hoping to return to Guyana and reap some spoils? I take umbrage with you dear editor at publishing such a letter which purports to emblazon Joe Harmon who has so far not done anything of significant political advancement for the betterment of Guyana. Yes he is chief
spokesman with the main purpose of representing and defending government’s policies and that’s about it. Rightfully he served his 40 days in the wilderness for the grievous deeds he committed in the early stages of this government but the trust he violated then does not seem to have garnered praises for him. His every word appears suspect and sensibly he is guarded in his expressions. But he does not come across as an acceptable politician except to the dear politician’s daughter Simona, whose mother forgot that she had three mining concessions plus a dragline which dear daughter Simona delayed to
accept and sign for. The metaphorical alluding “Although you are not yet a butterfly, I can see the colour of the wings you will produce”, smacks of the Monarch Butterfly, which for all its beauty, flies, and flies far, far away, some four thousand plus kilometers. Good symbolism Simona. That Monarch might one day be in your USA backyard. Carl Veecock Ontario Canada Editor’s note; Short of libel, egregious taste and utter sensational style, our policy is to offer the letter columns to those who want to have a say.
The ghost of another world war is hovering about DEAR EDITOR, Someone cynically remarked that the fourth world war will be fought with sticks and stones since all civilization as we know it today will be completely wiped out, including a large segment of the human race, in the event, God forbid, of another world war. The world had experienced two world wars with devastating consequences both in terms of human lives and infrastuructural destruction. Yet it seems that the lessons of those painful episodes in our history are being ignored by some global policymakers. I disagree with the old adage that if you wish for peace, you must prepare for war. It is this flawed thinking that has resulted in the huge buildup of military hardware to such frightening levels. The temptation to utilize such hardware at the slightest provocation could be strong unless adequate control
mechanisms are in place by the international community which sadly is not the case. During the period of the cold war, several treaties were hammered out between the United States and the then Soviet Union to limit the production and use of weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons and intercontinental missiles. There were for instance, several rounds of discussions on disarmament strategies and several treaties were arrived at such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and several others. Those were the days of intense strategic and political rivalry between the two superpowers for spheres of influence. The two military blocs, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact were formed with the support of the United States and the USSR to protect and preserve (Continued on page 7)
DEAR EDITOR, It is not often that you can say something nice about a government office in Guyana. I am happy to report that I have that opportunity. I was called to the Department of the Environment, Office of the Presidency on High Street for an interview. I was greeted by quite possibly the most enthusiastic polite public servant in Guyana. She showed me to a seat and then enquired from the interviewers when I will be called and returned to let me know. She was so enthusiastic that I was so pleasantly surprised I was smiling. In the interview room, I was greeted and
interviewed by two females, the director and a project coordinator. They were so professional, relaxed and behaved as colleagues and not superiors. They asked pertinent questions that assessed my relevant skills to the position. It was done with such ease and grace I was again taken aback given my experience with interviews in Guyana. They reminded me of the professional women you meet across the Caribbean region. I would like to say congrats to this office. They are doing several things right. Patriotic Guyanese
A qualified midwife asks questions about obstetrics in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Firstly in the capacity of a Guyanese, a fully qualified member of the health profession and one who has spent over two decades in the field of obstetrics I was morbidly troubled by the circumstances related under the recent caption: Attitude towards premature baby troubling.” Again from out of the gates I am forced to ask what manner/type of Obstetrics is being varied out in Guyana? When this mother went i n t o l a b o r, f a c t s p r i o r known that she was not at term, should she not have been given the care and treatment appropriate to a mother being delivered? Again how can a Birthing Center be so ill equipped as not to have an incubator ready to receive a premature arrival? I received my Midwifery training at the famous Sorrento Maternity Hospital in Birmingham, England — a hospital that is reputed to be the first in England to have a Premature Baby Unit. This unit, the first of its kind became the forerunner of our present day special and Intensive Care Baby Unit. Babies 25 weeks have been delivered at the hospital, or travelled from elsewhere in England specifically to receive postdelivery care and have sur-
vived. Was this mother 25 weeks by date or by gestation? If the statement alleged to be made by the doctor, regarding disposal of the fetus holds true, then he/she should be held accountable for the manner of disposal of a human. The Born Alive Protection Act enacted in 2002 by the U. S Government, provides a legal definition for personal human life extra utero (outside the uterus). Born alive is defined in the following manner, the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles and further specifies that any of these is the action of a living human person. So his remark is tantamount to arranging or orchestrating murder. The epitome of callous utterance at the height of the most glorious moment in a woman’s existence is that of bringing life into the world. Is there any adherence or semblance of respect for the Hippocratic Oath? Is the special delivery receptacle referred to as a bin? Would they not want to preserve the fetus for
examination and possible transmission of parts for genetic studies etc.? Who was the male referred to, as having turned up the oxygen? Was he a nurse? Throughout the saga there is no mention of a pediatrician being present. Who constituted the team present during the delivery? Oxygen given to premature baby must be carefully and judiciously administered as high concentrations of oxygen in premature infants can cause abnormal formation of fibrous tissue behind the lens leading to a condition called retrolental fibroplasia. This situation sadly casts a dark shadow on entire nation, especially the government and how it treats the primary agents responsible for producing the next generation of leaders etc. I am calling on the Minister of Health, Guyana Medical Association and all relevant authorities, to fully investigate this matter. Such a situation s h o u l d n o t r e c u r, a s i t clearly sends a message of fear to every female of childbearing age in Guyana. To quote from the Good Book: Proverbs 29: 18 - “Where there is no vision, the people perish and that includes the unborn.” Yvonne Sam.
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GuySuCo’s crises didn’t happen overnight
Berbice ranks demoralized by actions of a this said officer was also his association with Bisram”? Senior Officer that more than a passing acquain- This officer seems to be on a mis-
DEAREDITOR, The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) wishes to respond to a letter published on April 5, 2017 and titled ‘GAWU is predicting low production figure for first crop’ and authored by Mr. Sase Singh. In his letter Mr. Singh noted ‘I couldn’t believe what I was reading when I got the Combat newspapers in my inbox. For the record, the Combat is printed by the GAWU, the largest workers’ union in Guyana. In the Combat, it is clearly stated that as at the week ending March 25, 2017, GuySuCo produced 20,037 tonnes of sugar from a target of 74,172 (or 27%).’ Mr. Singh further proceeded to cast blame for the low production on various sections of GuySuCo’s management; and the management would not abdicate its responsibility. Indeed, the management of the Corporation has a responsibility to manage the entity as efficiently as possible, to produce the highest quality of sugar and it takes that responsibility very seriously. Additionally, GuySuCo would be the first to admit that the production target of March 25, 2017 was lower than expected; the production figures are public information. However, a fundamental and important aspect which Sase Singh missed, is context. That is, the organizational and wider societal context in which GuySuCo has found itself at this point in time. Mr. Singh’s letter is also very superficial. One would have thought that he would have done some reasonable research before writing. If his research had covered earlier releases and articles relating to the sugar corporation, he would have better understood some of the deeper issues confronting the Guyana sugar industry. The industry’s problems did not happen overnight. It was already in deep crisis when the interim management committee and new Board were appointed in June and July, 2015, respectively. It was soon recognized that addressing the ills of the Corporation and industry could only
be done by serious reorganization which is a pre-requisite for retooling and improving productivity. This has been the focus of the current management and Board. Additionally, the EL Nino phenomenon and the erratic weather pattern which followed were not “caused by management”. On the Skeldon Estate situation: The Co-generation plant was sold to Skeldon Energy Inc. (SEI) in February, 2015. SEI subsequently commissioned an audit of the co-generation plant by Wartsilla which indicated that the plant was in a very poor state. In mid-2016, SEI had to obtain funding for a limited programme to improve the safety of the plant. Unfortunately, this was not enough, by the end of the second crop 2016, further work was needed to render the co-generation plant safe to operate. The Corporation had no option but to defer the start of the 2017 crop for safety reasons. Mr.Singh attributes this to lack of proper planning. We do believe that this is more a function of the extent of the deteriorated state of the plant and the very limited funds which are available to address the problem. Why is production low? Much has been said over the past months about the state of the industry and the underlying causes. While the Corporation has been working tirelessly on those factors which are within its control, the solutions are not overnight fixes and the El Nino experience followed by the erratic weather which continues to date, do not help. Therefore, while production is a part of the focus of the Corporation for 2017, its primary focus is aimed at clearly defining the future of the industry and strengthening the organization to ensure that it is fit-for–purpose, or rather, fit to meet the demands of the ‘New GuySuCo’. As most persons are aware, the ‘New GuySuCo’ will include two components - sugar and diversification. The organizational strengthening aspect includes improving systems and structures and developing, recruiting and positioning appropriate
skills and expertise to ensure that the Corporation has not only the right capacity but also the right capabilities to secure a future entity that is resilient, sustainable and eventually profitable. The management is cognizant of the fact that in order for productivity to be increased, it has to as a preliminary step, bring stability to the business; and this is being done by focusing on resuscitating the vital organs of the Corporation – its systems and structures. Another critical area of focus is changing the current organizational behavioural patterns. For example, strikes are doing much harm to the business and has proven largely not to be an enabling factor in the increase productivity drive, hence the urgent need to foster more collaborative working relationships with the three Unions to reduce strikes and explore alternative means of resolving disagreements in the industry. In 2016 alone, there were 148 strikes and 44,500 man-days were lost. This has to change moving forward. Additionally, the Corporation is addressing the huge issue of poor attendance by harvesters on estates, since if adequate labour is not available to harvest the canes in a timely manner, productivity will invariably be low. In concluding, as Mr. Singh examines the industry and its productivity, we hope that this letter will assist in broadening his perspective beyond the financial and accounting aspects to factor in the more complex organizational and societal context within which GuySuCo is operating. We also hope that we have given him some assurances on our larger focus for re-designing, re-organizing and re-engineering the Corporation and more specifically, the core agenda for 2017. Audreyanna Thomas Senior Communications Officer Communications Department Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo)
DEAREDITOR, Please permit me space in your newspaper so that I may highlight some truly disturbing revelations about a particular senior police officer who is stationed in Berbice and who quite often is very boastful about the backing he receives from two powerful Cabinet members. We would recall that it was this said officer who was at the center of an investigation involving the uplifting of fuel from the fuel depot at the Central Police Station and whilst it was pleasing to know that he was found to be in breach of the standard operating procedures of the Guyana Police Force and was required to face disciplinary procedures for his transgression, nothing has since been heard of the issue. It is important to further note
tance of the now infamous Mr. Marcus Bisram who was implicated in the murder of Fayaz Narinedatt, a carpenter of No. 70 Village on the Corentyne and had been the recipient of large sums of cash for services rendered as a bodyguard for Mr. Bisram. In addition, he had also recruited the services of one of the accused who is presently before the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for murder; this individual hails from South Georgetown. Further, I am also forced to reveal that another senior officer working under instruction from the abovementioned officer to provide security detail for Mr. Bisram, was transferred to Eve Leary along with two junior ranks. The question therefore needs to be asked “Why wasn’t this officer also sanctioned for
sion to tarnish the character of other police ranks which includes both seniors and juniors in every department he has functioned in. Mr. Editor I speak not only on my own behalf but on behalf of an unmentionable number of ranks who have all grown weary of the oppression being experienced on a daily basis under this officer. The ranks of ‘B’ Division have been demoralized and de-motivated by this tyrannical, narcissist who almost seems to be entertained by our misery. The Commissioner of Police needs to engage the Office of Professional Responsibility who I am sure will unearth other misgivings about this officer. Frustrated ‘B’ Division Officers
The ghost of another world war is... From page 6 territorial gains which emanated out of the spoils of the Second World War following the defeat of Hitlerite fascism. Germany itself was split into two, East and West Germany under the watch of the two superpowers, the USA and the USSR. The world has changed enormously since then. The USSR has ceased to exist and Germany has now been reunited following the collapse of the Berlin Wall which once divided East and West Berlin. New global powers have emerged such as China, Japan and Russia and to a lesser extent India, Brazil and South Korea. North Korea despite being economically poor, has invested heavily in military hardware including nuclear weapons and medium and long range missles. The same can be said for countries such as Iran, Israel, Pakistan and India. The proliferation of nuclear weapons poses a serious threat to world peace and for the whole of the civilized world. The entire world can potentially be destroyed at the click of a button. Instead of a global policy of mutual deterrence based on denuclearization and arms limitation, we are now seeing a new
round of anti-ballistic and nuclear testing using the latest developments in science and technology. It would seem that the insane policy of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) is taking precedence over the more enlightened policy of peace and disarmament. The recent development in the Korean peninsula must be cause for serious concern by all peace loving nations. The recent use of chemical weapons in Syria and the dropping of bombs in Afghanistan by the United States deemed “the mother of all bombs” will only serve to escalate global tension. The spectre of another war looms dangerously and every effort should be made by the United Nations Security Council to diffuse this rising tension before it is too late.
One sure outcome of any war especially involving the use of nuclear and chemical weapons is that there will be no winners. It will be one ill-wind that will blow no one any good. All of humanity will be lost. The true cost of war is not the actual money spent but the deaths, destruction, misery and suffering inflicted on humanity as a whole. Nagasaki and Hiroshima still stand as living monuments on how devastating the use of atomic bombs could be. It is therefore imperative for all of progressive humanity to add their collective voices in opposition to any attempt to raise global tension. In the words of our celebrated national poet Martin Carter “all are involved, all are consumed.” Hydar Ally
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Sunday April 23, 2017
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Ramson does nothing for two years Even with a new government in place for nearly two years, the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr. is still not fulfilling his duties as set out in the laws governing his office. According to his subject minister, First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, Ramson has not submitted a single report on his work since the APNU+AFC took over. In fact, the Prime Minister added that Ramson is yet to submit outstanding reports since his office was established in 2013. Nagamootoo acknowledged that he is aware of calls by Guyanese for greater transparency and value for money when it comes to the office of the Commissioner of Information. He also admitted that this is one of the offices that have not functioned, yet salaries continue to be paid. “I have not received any report from him. I have given advice as to what I think should happen. You have the Act that has a defined role for the Minister but you have a contract under which he was employed. The Commissioner had been employed by the Office of the President and as you know, he who hires can fire,” Nagamootoo said. He added, “I don’t have a role in the contract process but I still tendered my advice.” Given that state of affairs, Nagamootoo was asked if he feels his hands are tied in holding Ramson accountable for how ineffective he has been. The Prime Minister said, “The Act states that he is to submit reports and if he didn’t do what he is supposed to do under law, then the Minister will have to go to the other stage of whether or not you can retain such a person…
- Government unable to remove him
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr.
“Then you will have to go to the agency under which the person is hired. Since only that agency would have the responsibility to do something about it, I have indicated my concern and I have tendered some advice.” Nagamootoo said he has observed comments from critics who are calling for amendments to the Access to Information Act, in an effort to ensure that the office is more effective under the new administration. The First Vice President said that the Act was well intentioned and is expansive, but he would not say at this point that the problem really lies with the potency of the legislation. Nagamootoo also stated that he is not ruling out the possibility of amendments to it. He said that the question is not if the Act is deficient, but whether the functions of the Commissioner are being carried out. He said that the latter is his most salient concern. He also reflected on the
fact that the Commissioner of Information has pending litigation against him; as such he is censored from being as expansive as he might desire to be on this matter. “The advice I gave has been forwarded to the Attorney General, Basil Williams, for an opinion and since that time, the incumbent Commissioner has sued me. So I am circumscribed from being expansive on the issue as much as my heart is burning that money is being wasted. There is nothing under the contract that I can do,” Nagamootoo expressed. Every month, Charles Ramson Snr. collects an attractive $2M package to ensure that citizens have easy access to information. But after a review of the operation of his office, the former Chief Justice has been constantly accused of thwarting the process. For this reason and others, former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, has said (Continued on page 12)
Sunday April 23, 2017
Court rules SOCU’s seizure of businessman’s gold constitutional The High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature has ruled that the seizure of 19.12 ounces of gold from businessman Richard Ramjit by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was constitutional and well within the law. The matter which was heard before Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes on Friday dates back to January 19, 2016 when Better Hope, East Coast Demerara businessman, Richard Ramjit, was held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with $3M worth of jewellery. According to the facts of the case, Ramjit was an outgoing passenger on the Dynamic Airways Flight #2D402 for New York, United States of America when he was searched by ranks of SOCU who found the gold valued at $3,943,360 in his possession. The businessman failed to declare the gold on his immigration departure card. The precious metal was seized and detained by the Unit to facilitate an investigation. He was then charged. The gold was used as evidence by the prosecution and remains in the possession of SOCU. Based on records at the Guyana Gold Board, the East Coast businessman was not a licensed gold dealer of the GGB and therefore was not legally permitted to export gold.
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Senior Legal Adviser, Leslyn Noble During the trial, Ramjit, who was represented by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Attorney Rajendra Jaigobin, filed a constitutional motion saying that the seizure of the gold was unlawful and contravened his fundamental right under Article 142 of Guyana’s Constitution. Further, the defence contended that Ramjit’s arrest and detention at the CJIA which caused him to miss his flight was unlawful and contrary to the man’s right to leave Guyana which is guaranteed under Article 148 of the Constitution. Ramjit’s lawyers argued that SOCU’s failure to arrest and detain other passengers as they did their client contravened Article 149 of the Constitution since other passengers were wearing similar and larger quantity of
jewellery. It was argued that this was discriminatory treatment. Moreover, the businessman sued for damages in excess of $10M for breach of the applicant’s fundamental rights and freedom guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana. However, despite these arguments, Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes ruled that the seizure was in compliance with Article 142 of the Constitution and in accordance with Section 37 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Cap 10:11. The state was represented by Senior Legal Adviser Leslyn Noble, State Counsel, Joan Edghill-Stuart and Tracy Marks. Ms. Leslyn Noble is also Certified Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Prevention Professional. The Judge in her ruling said that Sections 36 of the AML/CFT Act provides that a person who enters or leaves Guyana with foreign currency to more than US$10,000 or its equivalent in any other currency shall make a declaration. Further, the Judge said that Section 8 of the Guyana Gold Board Act Cap 66:01 provides that no person shall sell any gold or purchase any gold from any person other than the Board or any authorised person in writing
by the Board or export any gold. In her judgement, the Judge said that the AML/CFT Act gives a police officer authorised by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) or Customs Officer statutory powers to seize and detain suspicious imports or exports of currency of US$10,000 or its equivalent, where there is reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is currency derived from a serious offence. Currency includes cash, gold, diamond and jewellery. The Judge held that Ramjit’s failure to declare the gold at the CJIA and to account for the gold found in his possession are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the businessman was involved in the commission of serious money laundering offences. According to Justice Gregory-Barnes, the application for detention orders by SOCU officers was lawfully granted for the purpose of the investigation in compliance with the AML and CFT Act. In April of last year, Ramjit was charged with the offences of knowingly falsifying document contrary to section (6)2 of the AML and CFT Act and exporting gold without license in contravention of Sections 7 and 8 of the Gold Board Act. These charges are still before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.
Dem boys seh...
Insurance people screwing Jagdeo padnah Dem boys been out and had fun Friday at Palm Court. Dem dance up and had a good time. De next morning de Boss man seh, he hate partying wid sober people. “Those suckers remember everything.” And he do a lot of things he would want to not only forget but disappear. Dem had some not working wives at de party and dem drink and had a good time more than dem man and dem husbands. De boss man seh he watch dem and shake he head. He seh a man can wuk fuh ten years wid a wife who never tun a straw and still be happy. But leh a woman wuk ten days. De whole world will know bout she not wukking husband who deh home lie down whole day. Jagdeo use to do that same thing when he was president. He had Babbie going out and doing all de wuk and he lie down home playing wid heself. He was always a person looking fuh an easy way to mek a dollar without doing nutten. That is why when he hear bout insurance he seh that is easy money. He don’t have to wuk so he buy life insurance and hope he get injury benefit. He insure he whole body, even de hair pun he head. Dem boys hear he get a big payout after he lost all he hair pun he head. Friday he go to de insurance people and ask if he can collect pun ee penis. De insurance man tell him that he got to go and read de fine print. He did go and read it and find out that Babbie can live happily ever after without him. De fine print seh “In the event of early death you shall not collect any money but your pardner will get free service till death from our insurance men.” Talk half and careful wid dem insurance people.
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Questions raised over armoured vehicle seized from Rasul
Two of the vehicles seized from embattled gold deal Sadiqqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul by the Guyana Revenue Authority are raising a number of questions, particularly since it was discovered that both of them are armoured plated, one of which was imported under the re-migrant scheme. In February, 2016, the Customs Amendment Bill was passed making changes to the regulations governing the remigrant scheme. The new law provided that re-migrants must reside in Guyana for at least 183 days after applying for re-migrant status, before leaving the country again. As it relates to remigrants importing vehicles without paying duties, those persons must do so within six
The Lexus LX 570 SUV seized from the businessman on Friday months of resuming residence in Guyana. Based on information received from re-migrants who would have imported vehicles, they are
required to wait three years before selling that automobile. With this being considered, it is being asked
Rasul’s Toyota Hilux parked in GRA’s Camp Street compound after being seized how is it that Rasul was able to own the luxury Lexus LX 570 SUV since the vehicle was imported under the scheme about two years ago. This should have raised red flags since it was a breach of the law. Adding mystery to the issue is the fact that the vehicle was imported as it was produced by the manufacturer but following inspection by GRA officials, it was reported that the SUV seems to be armoured plated. It is unclear how this happened since no auto-body shop in Guyana specialises in that kind of work. There are no records of the vehicle at GRA being armoured plated. No permission was given by the relevant authorities to have these vehicles affixed with the high level material. This newspaper has learnt that investigators are currently looking for another vehicle owned by the businessman. Rasul’s Lexus was seized on Friday by officials of the
GRA from a Campbellville auto body shop. The vehicle was transported on a tow truck to GRA’s Eccles Industrial Site State Warehouse around 16:00hrs. It appeared as though body work was being done on the vehicle since most of it was in matte black and various parts had spots of primer which suggest that the vehicle was about to be repainted. The cost price for such a vehicle is estimated to be $20M. On April 12, GRA had seized the Toyota Hilux from Rasul’s Prashad Nagar home shortly after 13:00hrs. The Hilux is believed to have been imported from Brazil earlier this year but was never declared to Customs. At the time of seizure the vehicle was found bearing the numbers PKK 1996. Three days ago, ranks attached to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) arrested Rasul after which simultaneous raids were
conducted on properties belonging to him and associates. SOCU had gone to the Lot 25 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown home of Ricardo Fagundes, a close associate of Rasul. There, ranks presented Tessa Fagundes, sister of Ricardo Fagundes with a search warrant and said that they were after computers, laptops and phones among other items. The woman said that SOCU’s visit was about the third made to her brother’s residence. During the raid, the unit seized three high value sports motorbikes, a Jet Ski and reportedly found a bag with ammunition. The entire family that was at the property at the time was arrested. It is believed that Ricardo Fagundes is currently in custody along with Rasul. This newspaper understands that SOCU had visited Rasul’s Gordon Street, Kitty business place whereby (continued on page 58)
Sunday April 23, 2017
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Law student spends years fighting for UG results ...intended career quashed, as the University moves to CCJ Clairmonte Cox became a student of the University of Guyana in 2000. In 2003, he sat the examinations, and was confident that his grades would place him right at the top of the local entrants to Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago. He had every hope of returning home and eventually becoming a top notch attorneyat-law. Unfortunately, his entire career was thrown out of the window. Cox ended up being embroiled in a series of legal battles with UG, for his 2003 results, which eventually came 10 years later. But even then, Cox’s worries have not ended. “What happened was, I was not a paying student. I had applied for a loan, and the Ministry of Finance apparently had some hiccups in accurately getting the payment to UG, so when the university withheld my results, they said that it was because I had outstanding payments,” the Central High School teacher told Kaieteur News. Having spent years exhausting every possible internal avenue, Cox wrote his final letter to the University
Clairmonte Cox, armed with his bundle of paper evidence
in 2011, and received a response from the Registrar, Vincent Alexander, who claimed that the institution hadn’t any examination results for Cox, since he was not a student at the University. Simultaneously, Cox received additional letters from UG officials,
acknowledging that he was a student, but that he needed to settle all his outstanding balances before receiving his examination results. What is strange however, is while Cox was denied his results in 2003 because of outstanding payments, records show that he had until 2006 to settle his arrears.
Govt. intensifies scrutiny for top brass at state agencies - Trotman By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has said that all ministers of the APNU+AFC government are working to make sure that they can institute the highest levels of scrutiny at the various agencies that they are responsible for. The minister said that recent implications of some officials at the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) have highlighted the need for strengthened policies but “we knew that this was something that needed to be done.” Recently, three of the most senior officials of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) were sent on administrative leave as the police continue investigations into alleged money laundering activities of gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul. Trotman told Kaieteur News, “We are responding to a request from the police for them to conduct an investigation. There have been no findings as yet.” Asked if he sees the need to now beef up measures of scrutiny for the top brass of agencies falling under his ministry, the Minister answered in the affirmative.
He added, “I believe that several ministries, not just mine, are working on make sure that there is more scrutiny. There are problems at all ministries where there are finances.” The Minister continued, “I think we all have to be vigilant and to tighten our systems. It is an ongoing effort on the part of government ministers to have tight systems in place to minimize or prevent impropriety but in the current case we have been asked to cooperate with an investigation and we are doing so. We are quite interested in the findings of
the investigation. According to a letter dated April 20, 2017, to General Manager, Lisaveta Ramotar, and signed by Minister Trotman, the police requested several staffers be sent on leave to facilitate the investigations. Ramotar is the daughter of former President, Donald Ramotar. The investigations are being conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the police that has been focusing on financial crimes. Also to receive letters are Deputy General Manager, (continued on page 64)
“I admit that I was lagging in payments, but I still had time to clear it off, so I never understood how they could’ve just refused to give me my results,” Cox said. Eventually, the gentleman’s court action was completed, and the ruling was handed down in his favour. “The court ordered that UG give me my results,” he said. It was only seven months after the ruling that Cox was provided with the results. He was not satisfied. The results, which, at one point, hadn’t
existed, showed that he had failed in two subject areas. This prompted Cox to legally request a review of the examination results. “I wanted for me and my lawyers to be present,” the Central High School teacher said. This, too, was approved by the court, causing UG’s legal representatives to request a stay order. This was thrown out, and UG was ordered to go ahead with the review. But the institution, in response, appealed both the decision by the court to give
Cox his results, and the latter decision to conduct a review. According to Cox, the appeal too was quashed, and now, the University is looking to take its appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice. “Even with everything that I can prove, they’re still trying to fight it. I think they realise how much they have wronged me, and the trouble that they are in. They caused my entire career to go down the drain,” Cox lamented. He said that UG is looking to take the same quashed appeal to the CCJ. Repeated efforts by this newspaper, to contact Mr Alexander have proven futile.
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Kaieteur News
Ramson does nothing for... From page 8 that he is convinced that taxpayers are not getting value for money when it comes to the Commissioner of Information. Goolsarran said that every month, citizens are saddled with supporting an approximately $2M salary for Ramson when his efforts deny citizens’ right to access to information. The Chartered Accountant had said, “Mr. Ramson’s basic salary is at least $1.5 million per month. Along with other benefits and allowance, it would exceed $2 million. Also, one recalls his ‘no money, no love’ reaction to Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) when it requested certain information. In this regard, Ramson cited the then Oppositioncontrolled National Assembly’s cutting off of funds for the then Office of the President under which he operated…”The Commissioner should have been held accountable for denying TIGI access to the requested information.” The Chartered Accountant stated that what compounds the issue is that Parliament is yet to receive a report on the application of the Access to Information Act as well as the operations of Ramson’s office. According to the Act governing Ramson’s office, the responsible Minister, should, “as soon as practicable but not later than nine months, after the end of each year lay a report on the operation of this (Access to Information) Act in the National Assembly.” The Act also states that the said report should include the number of requests made to the Commissioner of Information; the number of applications for judicial review of decisions and the outcome of those applications; the number of complaints made to the Commissioner of Information with respect to the operation of the Act and the nature of those complaints; the number of notices served upon the Commissioner of Information and the num-
ber of decisions by the Commissioner which were adverse to the person’s claim. Goolsarran noted that the handing over of annual reports to the National Assembly is a key requirement of the law. He said that the failure of the Commissioner’s office in this regard stymies any effort to carry out an assessment on the effectiveness of the Access to Information Act. The former Auditor General said this is a significant shortcoming in attempts to provide citizens and organizations with access to information of government programmes and activities. Additionally, there have been accusations to the effect that Ramson has not been forthcoming when requests are made to him by members of the public. However, Ramson is of the opinion that it is the public that is not making use of him as he has received fewer than 16 applications since he assumed the position. In response to Ramson’s claims in this regard, Goolsarran said that the main reason for the public not utilizing his services is that people do not have any confidence whatsoever in the present Commissioner. He said, “Once the Access to Information Act was passed, a Commissioner of Information had to be found. The Donald Ramotar administration handpicked him, knowing full well that the person is totally unsuitable for the position. His appointment was an imposition aimed precisely at producing the opposite results which is denying citizens’ right to access to information. He was the man best suited to do that.” This newspaper made several attempts to contact Ramson regarding his failure to issue reports over the years. He made it clear however that he has nothing to say to Kaieteur News.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Attorney General denies Judge Holder’s contentions - wants him to recuse himself from Carvil Duncan case
Attorney General, Basil Williams
Justice Franklyn Holder
Not only has he categorically denied the purported contentions of Justice Franklyn Holder, but Attorney General, Basil Williams, has asserted that it simply wasn’t legally possible for the judge to hold him in contempt belatedly. This was contained in a letter by the Attorney General to President David Granger who had earlier asked Williams to respond to the allegations made against him by Justice Holder. President David Granger had asked Williams for an explanation regarding reports that during an ongoing trial involving Carvil Duncan, he (Williams) allegedly made death threats against Justice Holder in the judge’s courtroom. It is alleged that during cross examination of the confidential secretary to Duncan, Williams asked Justice Holder if a response that was given by the witness was properly recorded. The Judge took umbrage to Williams’ enquiry and reminded the AG that he was in charge of the courtroom and not Williams. Reports had circulated that the AG then said that a classmate who was then a Magistrate that cited him for contempt some years ago is now incidentally dead. Justice Holder in his complaint [sent to the Chancellor of the Judiciary] regarding the matter said that he felt disrespected by the Attorney General’s behaviour. But according to Williams in his lengthy response to the President, Justice Holder could not lawfully, almost two days later by letter, purport to raise accusations of contempt against him for what he alleges occurred in his Court previously. Williams emphasized in his letter to the President that such a matter shouldn’t have even gained [the President’s] attention. “I must inform your Excellency that recourse to your good self, from an alleged complaint of behaviour in a Court of Law on the part of an Attorney-at-Law, is unknown to our Jurisprudence,” highlighted Williams as he added “this is simply because from time immemorial, the common law has granted the power to a Judge presiding in a Court to cite and punish persons for contempt in the face of the Court.” Williams further pointed out that in Guyana the common law principles of Contempt of Court have been reduced into law by Statute in 2010 namely the Contempt of Court Act Cap 5:05., Section 12. This Act, he explained, provides for: “Where in the opinion of the Court a person has committed a contempt in the face of the Court, that is, in the presence or hearing of the Court, the Court may cause that person to be brought before it, either forthwith or at any time before the rising of the Court on the same day, and shall - (a) Inform him of the contempt with which he charged; (b) Afford him an opportunity to put forward a defence to the charge; and (c) After hearing him in his defence and the evidence of any witness he may tender…” Williams acknowledged that Contempt of Court is a criminal offence and added that Justice Holder was required under the provisions of the Act to inform him of the contempt with which he wished to charge him before the rising of the Court on the same day. Williams moreover, emphasized that “Justice Holder did not inform, warn or in any manner convey that he considered he was being contemptuous before he left the Court room that day and was therefore functus officio.” It is, however, Williams’s belief that “this is exactly what Justice Holder has done. Williams did not stop there. He also amplified that Article 144 (8) of the Constitution prescribes that “the conduct of a civil matter before a Judge to wit: 111- 144 (8) -Any Court…prescribed by law for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation shall be established by law and shall be independent and impartial and…the case shall be given a fair hearing within a reasonable time.” In fact he underscored that fairness under Article 144 (8) requires a Judge to give notice to the Attorney-at-Law in Court Continued on page 14
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Attorney General denies Judge Holder’s... From page 13 of any behaviour which is contemptuous, insulting, disrespectful and despicable in the face of the Court. According to Williams, “On a proper perusal of his letter of Complaint, the Learned Judge purports to list seven instances which in his opinion amounted to contemptuous behaviour yet in not one of them informed the Attorney General he was close to committing contempt or warned him or in any manner giving him notice of misbehavior, or charged him for contempt.” Williams has specifically denied seven aspects of the Judge’s complaint. These include: “In a rather loud and bellicose tone said I, the Judge must record the NO; Previously the witness had said yes and the Court chose not to make a record of this; I took umbrage to his tone and what he was insinuating, which was in effect the Court was being selective in recording the evidence; Mr. Williams in a truculent manner…; The last person who told him what he should not say was a Magistrate he is now dead; All morning Mr. Nandlall disrespecting you and you have not done anything about it; I could say what I want to say when I want to say it. I have always been like that.” According to Williams, the truth of the matter is that at the time Justice Holder left his Court he was not accused by him of being contemptuous. Williams said that he only received the letter of complaint, “after Mr. Nandlall’s scandalizing of Justice Holder, the Court, and himself and also after the Attorney General’s press conference more than 24 hours later.” “The Learned Judge found no fault with the Attorney General in his Court but, without informing him before hand and giving him an opportunity to respond, he purports to go behind his back to complain to the President in order to have the Attorney General dismissed,” complained Williams. Moreover, he has submitted to the President that “there is no foundation upon which Justice Holder could erect those serious allegations and sanctions he has proposed in his letter of complaint.” In his attempt to explain what transpired, Williams said that on the day in question [March 23, 2017] he was subjected to a most disgusting display or lack of respect by Mr. Anil Nandlall, the immediate past Attorney General, for the sanctity of the Court presided over by Justice Holder. He informed that between the hours of 9:15 am to around 12:00 noon the he cross examined Mr. Carvil Duncan and his Confidential Secretary. Throughout the entire session, Williams said that Nandlall interrupted the Court despite the pleas of Justice Holder for him to stop. Throughout the session, he said too, that Nandlall prompted the witnesses before they answered the questions posed by him forcing the latter to go into the well of the Court, a privilege of Senior Counsel, to block their line of vision. “Not to be undone Mr. Nandlall resorted to throaty noises. Mr. Nandlall repeatedly hurled insults at the Hon. Attorney General throughout the session as the latter conducted the cross examination,” Williams added. He continued, “On one occasion Justice Holder alerted the Hon. Attorney General to the fact that they had an uninterrupted 10-minute break because Mr. Nandlall was like a child playing with a toy, only this time the toy was a cell phone, the latter being forbidden in our Courts.” But on the approach to 12:00 noon, Williams said that Judge Holder indicated he was about to adjourn for the day. It was at this juncture Williams said that he requested permission to ask a final question of the Confidential Secretary which was granted and asked. “Upon the answer of ‘No,’ to the question the Attorney General went back to his seat and as he turned to face the Court he saw Justice Holder about to leave the Bench. The Attorney General inquired of Justice Holder “Ex Abundanti Cautela (out of
abundant caution) if he could clarify whether the Witness’s answer of ‘No’ was recorded. Surprisingly, Justice Holder’s response was that, ‘Mr. Williams you are not in control of my Court’,” Williams revealed. Williams explained that while he agreed he did note in a controversial tone that it was Nandlall who had been seeking to control the court the entire morning. But according to Williams, “Justice Holder then said he understood the Hon. Attorney General to be saying that he deliberately did not record the answer ‘Yes’ earlier and he took great umbrage at that. “The Hon. Attorney General denied saying that such a belief would not be on his record since he did not say that nor did he intend that contention.” He said that in his attempt to assure the Judge of this he referred to a case years ago where a Magistrate made a similar accusation when he was before him “claiming that when the Hon. Attorney General said he never failed a subject at law school he understood he was saying that he the Magistrate had failed subjects.” “The Hon. Attorney General said the Magistrate [then] cited him for contempt and since then he has been very careful with his submissions to the Court lest there be a recurrence,” said Williams who claimed that he went on to add that “incidentally the Magistrate is dead now, to let the Learned Judge know that he was not someone who is still in the system.” Williams said that he, in a reassuring tone told the Learned Judge that he knew him and if he had wanted to say what the Judge contended he would have done so. According to Williams, “This engagement took no more than three-five minutes and ended when Mr. Nandlall made another interruption and Justice Holder left the Bench. At no time was the Hon. Attorney General disrespectful, insulting or contemptuous of Justice Holder.” He asserted that “at no time during that short engagement did the Learned Judge accuse him of threatening him, or threatening to kill him nor has he in his letter of complaint expressed that view.” Williams assured the President that he was never contemptuous of the Court and if he was they would have informed, warned, cautioned, cited and charged him accordingly. He went on to point out that “Justice Holder has the distinction of being the first Judge in the 50 years of our Independence to make orders against both the President and Prime Minister of Guyana in one fell swoop, without giving them a hearing. Therefore Justice Holder could not have fled the Bench because of the Hon. Attorney General, an appointee of the President.” Williams said that there is no substratum to support an apology as sought by Justice Holder since this would be in breach of Section 12 of the Contempt of Court Act. Williams insisted moreover insisted that the unsupported allegations of both Justice Holder and Nandlall severally, have brought him into public odium and contempt and he has suffered in the estimation of the right thinking members of society. “I have made efforts through mediators to seek to meet with the Learned Judge to resolve any misapprehensions he might be harbouring, but without success,” said Williams. Regarding the continuance of the Carvil Duncan case, Williams has recommended that Justice Holder recuse himself and sends the matter back to the Chief Justice for reassignment. Further he recommended that “the hearing of this matter should be conducted in a courtroom where there is a Voice Verbatim Digital Sound Recording System or any other contemporaneous recording to avoid the ‘last bastion of a lawyer’s servitude’ before our Courts.” According to Williams, “I believe that enough damage has been done to me personally and my reputation and the administration of Justice to detail a rebuttal of the issues raised in the event your Excellency remits this letter to the Chancellor and the tendentious issues lead to unnecessary angst.”
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Government refuses to pay small judgments
‌but settles $$billions with big companies Questions are still being asked about the reasons why the previous and present governments are refusing to settle miniature amounts owed to a number of residents but paying out billions of dollars owed to big companies both local and overseas. A number of displeased families who were awarded judgments against the government since the previous administration was in power are pushing ahead with litigation as they explore all possibilities to collect the monies owed. Two such judgments were granted since 2014 when the PPP government was in office. Kaieteur News was privy to information that despite numerous letters, messages, telephone calls and personal reminders to the Attorneys General of both administrations, neither gentleman paid any heed to the efforts made by the attorneys of the aggrieved citizens. The two persons were granted judgments of $150,000 each. To date the monies have not been paid despite a copy of the judgment was sent to the Registrar and to the Minister of Finance as is provided for in the state Liability and Proceedings Act. Now efforts are being made to have the Minister of Finance held in contempt if the money is not paid by a certain time. This was indicated to the Minister of Finance via letter dated April 4, 2017 by the applicants’ lawyer. The letter was delivered to the Minister’s office on April 12,
last. The letter reminded the Minister that the Act provides that he shall direct that the judgment be paid. In the letter it is stated that if the judgment is not paid within seven days of receipt of the said letter, proceedings in the form of a Mandamus to compel him to make payment will be taken. It was also pointed out to the Minister in the letter that if a Mandamus is granted and the decision is disobeyed, contempt proceedings will be instituted against him. Yadram Rooney of No.2 East Canje was shot by Police Inspector Cumberbatch on March 15, 2011at his home. At the time Inspector Cumberbatch was employed as an enforcer for a gas station owner on the East Coast Demerara. He and the owner had travelled from East Coast Demerara to East Berbice where Rooney was shot. After the shooting Cumberbatch was arrested by police in Berbice and subsequently released without being charged. The family had filed a $50M lawsuit in 2011 against the Attorney General of Guyana, at the time, Anil Nandlall for damages and compensation for trespass (Assault and battery) to the person, resulting in injuries, loss and damage to his person. The other matter involved Rawle Carter who was a teen at the time. He was picked up by a joint services patrol on the evening of Sunday June 19, 2011 while on his way home. He was dumped into a police pickup and thrown into the lock-up with others at the Central
Police Station. He was never apprised as to why he was arrested. His request for a phone call was met with expletives. He was locked up for two days without being given food, water or allowed a phone call; neither was he read his rights. Family members only became aware of his whereabouts after a visit to the Central Police Station. After a number of days a senior officer apologized on behalf of the Guyana Police Force for the tardiness of the ranks and the ill treatment meted out to the teen. He told them that the matter was finished. A lawsuit was subsequently filed in the High Court of Guyana against the Attorney General and the Guyana Police Force. The claim was for wrongful arrest and imprisonment, trespass to the person (false imprisonment) of the plaintiff by a member of the Guyana Police Force, an agent or servant of the state at Cumberland East Canje, Berbice and at New Amsterdam Berbice between June 19 and June 20, 2011. There was also a claim for loss and damage to the plaintiff. After mutual agreement, in chambers, both matters were settled for the meager sum of $150,000 each with no cost before Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Berbice High Court on December 8, 2014. Since then, both former and present Attorneys General Anil Nandlall and Basil Williams have refused to pay the sums. Now the matter is heading to court again.
A 23-year-old man was shot after trading bullets with police ranks during a robbery at Kitty, Georgetown around 14:45 hrs on Friday. The wounded bandit who has not been identified is hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He was shot to the right foot. Reports are that the suspect and another accomplice robbed a Bourda Market vendor of $400,000, as
the victim was about to enter his Pike Street, Kitty yard. The vendor was about to open his gate when the suspects, one armed with a handgun, approached him on a motor cycle, pounced and relieved him of his cash and escaped. The matter was immediately reported and shortly after ranks on a mobile patrol responded and confronted the bandits, who discharged several
rounds at the officers. The police returned fire hitting one of the suspects. His accomplice managed to escape. Later that day, the police received information of the location of the stolen items. Acting on information, the ranks went to a house in Duncan Street, Kitty, where they conducted a search and found an unlicensed revolver with two live rounds and one spent shell. Four males and two females who were in the house have been taken into custody. One of the females is said to be the girlfriend of the wounded suspect. A part of the money was recovered.
Bandit injured after trading shots with cops
Sunday April 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
A Guyanese among the heroes on a memorable flight By Sharmain Grainger There are many occasions when Guyanese make the news outside of our jurisdiction for something untoward. But there are the others who do so for reasons that are so refreshing that it is likely to forever be etched in our hearts and minds. Topping the list in this regard of recent is Ms. Michelle London-Bend. Although London-Bend migrated to the United States in 2002 and has returned to Guyana on quite a few occasions, her most recent visit here can easily be classified as her most memorable. You see the Emergency Room Technician for the past 10 years at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan had gotten a few days off from work and decided she would travel to Guyana to spend some deserving time with friends. The long Easter Weekend was especially ideal for such a reunion. An excited London-Bend boarded the plane of a popular airline and was ready for the flight that would first take her to Trinidad before heading to her vacation destination - the land of her birth. However, the journey en route to Trinidad would in fact turn out to be a defining moment in London-Bend’s life. She doesn’t quite remember how long into the flight it was, but she remembers very vividly, a flight attendant making an appeal, via the plane’s
public address system, for the assistance of any health care personnel on board. Although London-Bend is not qualified as a doctor or even a Registered Nurse, she has had considerable training in patient care, so without hesitation she responded to the call for help. She was not alone. Two nurses believed to be Trinidadians also responded. Like London-Bend they were shocked to see a female patient passed out in a seat aboard the capacity-filled plane. In an invited comment, London-Bend said, “the patient looked blue and felt cold; when we checked for a pulse there was absolutely none and it was then we realised that this was serious.” The unconscious woman appeared relatively young, perhaps in her late 20s or early 30s. Prior to passing out, reports are that the woman exhibited no signs of being disoriented in way. In fact she was travelling alone and was managing very well, even handling her own luggage. But something went wrong! This publication was reliably informed that the health care workers after recognising the condition of the patient immediately enquired of a flight attendant if there was a medical or first aid kit on board. There was reportedly none. Although the health care workers saw a desperate need to check the
‘Hero health worker’, Ms. Michelle London-Bend, on the day of her memorable flight. woman’s blood pressure and sugar levels they simply couldn’t, as they had no blood pressure apparatus or glucomoter at their disposal. The only thing that was provided by the airline staffers on board was an oxygen tank. Moreover, the health workers had to rely considerably on their ability to do chest compressions. In fact they had to continue this, together with the administration of oxygen, for about 45 minutes before the woman started to exhibit
The Baccoo Speaks The young bandits are aware that the police are everywhere. In their eyes as soon as they pounce on a hapless victim the police are there to apprehend them. There was already one apprehension a few hours ago. There will be another attempt in the city. Again, the police would arrive, but only after publicspirited citizens would have taken a hand in the affairs of the victim.
** An electrocution looms. An attempt to obtain electric current illegally would end in disaster for a resident of one
of the new communities. Of course the people who were to be the beneficiaries would attempt to deny that anything illegal was being attempted. ** There will be a river accident in the dark hours because the boat operators refuse to heed the rules of the river. The collision could have been avoided had one of the operators been in his lane. There will be a fatality.
signs of life. According to London-Bend, the compression efforts were supported by the administration of at first four litres of oxygen before a decision was made to up it to as much as 15 litres. ”She was lethargic, totally out of it. But then we started to get a pulse, it was very low, but we got a pulse,” London-
Bend related. She disclosed that a decision to elevate the patient’s legs about 15 minutes into the resuscitation efforts might have been particularly helpful too. The three first responders were eventually assisted by a female doctor on board who did not respond initially because she was asleep. The doctor was reportedly aroused from her slumber by the ongoing commotion to revive the passenger. “Everyone was frantic because they thought the woman was dead,” related another passenger who was aboard the very flight. ”It simply wasn’t this woman’s time to go [die],” said the passenger, who recalled seeing the woman regain consciousness and start to open her eyes. Although the patient appeared unable to talk at first, she eventually did so and profusely thanked the health workers for their timely assistance. All passengers aboard the flight were reportedly very cooperative and adhered to the instructions of the flight attendant who instructed that they all stay in their seats until the patient was escorted. The woman was eventually whisked off of the plane
in the company of the doctor, and paramedics who arrived in an ambulance. It is London-Bend’s conviction that “If no medical staff was on board she would have died because when we stopped chest compressions, all of her vital signs were gone.” There has been speculation that the woman might have fallen into a diabetic coma. This, however, has not been confirmed by any of the health workers. However, since the incident, several passengers on board the flight have expressed concern about the unavailability of even a first aid kit on the plane and are hopeful that the incident would serve as a ‘wake-up call’ to have such measures in place. Meanwhile, the airline in question has expressed immense gratitude to the health care workers for their prompt and priceless assistance and has even offered to refund the costs for the flight to each of them London-Bend has already accepted that while she had made plans for an exciting time with friends here in Guyana, God had other plans for her, which entailed helping to save a life that could have easily been snuffed out.
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Death and the detective’s wife - How did Patricia James end up with a bullet in her head and an unlicenced gun by her side? By Michael Jordan If buildings could speak, then surely the house on Front Road, West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, would tell us how a cop’s pretty wife ended up with a bullet in her head, and with an unlicenced gun by her side, almost 18 years ago. Patricia James’ relatives think they know who pulled that trigger. They are certain that it wasn’t Patricia. Her father went to his grave believing that he knew who had snuffed out his little girl’s life. But like the other relatives, and the detectives who handled this case, they just can’t prove it. Patricia James was an attractive 19-year-old student of the Cyril Potter College of Education when she married Police Corporal William Henry
in December 1996. He was in his thirties. They had no children and they lived in West Ruimveldt. At around 09:00 hrs on Saturday, October 9, 1999, several residents heard two gunshots. The sound came from the couple’s home. Detective Corporal Henry would later tell investigators that he was washing some clothes outside of the house when he heard the shots. He then ran inside and found his wife lying lifeless on the couple’s bed. An unlicenced handgun was in one of her hands and there was a bullet hole in her head. Corporal Henry contacted his colleagues and informed them of the tragedy. Police investigators placed the dead woman’s
hands in plastic bags to preserve any gunpowder residue, before having the body removed. They also ‘bagged’ Corporal Henry’s hands and escorted him to the East Ruimveldt Police Station.
There are reports that the weapon with which Patricia James had been shot was seized during a raid on the East Coast of Demerara. When one finds someone dead with a bullet in the body and a gun in one hand, suicide is usually the first thought that springs to mind. But Patricia James’ relatives were sure that the young teacher hadn’t taken her own life. One family member who entered the house shortly after the woman’s death said that he saw three halfpacked bags with Patricia’s belongings nearby. She had also told a close family member that she had received death threats. A similar report was also allegedly made to a group that assists battered women. According to this family
member, Patricia had slept at a friend’s house on Friday, October 8, 1999, the night before her death. This friend reportedly brought her home next day. Under police escort, Detective Corporal William Henry attended his wife’s funeral, where he received a cold reception from Patricia’s angry relatives and close friends. He did not go to the cemetery. While the forensic investigators found no trace of gunpowder residue on Patricia James’ hands, their tests indicated that there was gunpowder residue on Corporal Henry’s hands. With everything seeming to point to murder, and with Patricia’s husband as the prime suspect, investigators sent their report to the then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dennis Hanomansingh. According to reports, the DPP was preparing to recommend that Corporal Henry be charged with murder, when Henry’s attorney dropped a bombshell. He informed the DPP that the test that the forensic team had used was an outdated and unreliable one. In fact,
scientists had discovered that the “dermal nitrate test” or “paraffin test,” was so unreliable that international forensic experts had abandoned it. The seasoned legal expert told the DPP that the evidence would not stand up in court. Local forensic experts reportedly now use a more internationally accepted test for gunpowder residue. Presented with this information, the DPP had no option but to inform the investigators that Henry could not be charged. But a relative of Patricia James says that they were promised that an inquest would be held into her death. That has not been done. Relatives of Patricia James still want to know how she ended up dead, and who took her life. If you have further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office. We can be reached on telephone numbers 225-8465, 225-8491, or 225-8458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon@hotmail.com
Sunday April 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Relentless class bestialities in Guyana A 73-year-old pensioner has produced evidence to the NIS that he was employed for over twenty years at a well known family company that is into logging and related activities. But the NIS has no contributions for him. The complaint to the NIS took place over a month now. The non-payment of employees’ contribution is a criminal offence. This man’s predicament was given widespread coverage in the media. Yet to date, no charges have been filed against this well-known family business. On Friday, the family business was able to get the police to charge an employee for company fraud. He was placed before the court. You call this juxtaposition of fates, class oppression. Throughout history, class oppression has given rise to revolution, whether it was the overthrow of the British monarch by Cromwell, the French Revolution, the American War of Independence, the Bolshevik overthrow of the Russian Tsar, the expulsion of the French in Yemen and Algeria, the Cuban Revolution, the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, the removal of the Shah in Iran, the toppling of Mubarak in Egypt, the Arab Spring in Tunisia, the fall of Haile
Selassie in Ethiopia, the overthrow of Eric Gairy in the Caribbean island of Grenada, class oppression breeds revolution. Revolution may fail as it gets older and turn against itself or become more brutal than the fallen regime as we saw in Liberia with Samuel Doe, but once class repression exists, it will generate revolution. What has taken place under Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar, and now the Coalition Government, is sustained class bias in the exercise of power that has virtually devastated the world of poor farmers, rural workers and the proletariat in general in Guyana. What is taking place in this country is naked oligarchy that the textbook on Latin America in the sixties referred to as the rule of the man on horseback. The NIS pensioner’s plight is graphic material which one can use to indict a neoliberal state in Guyana that barefacedly refuses to criminally investigate a business for not paying NIS contributions for an Amerindian pensioner, but that very state uses its coercive arm to charge an employee for stealing from the very business the pensioner is complaining about -
a pensioner that lives in the far-flung area of the interior were modern amenities are absent. This pensioner also told the readers of Kaieteur News that his brother died while on duty for this same family business, and his family did not receive his postdeath benefits. The oligarchic use of power in 21st century Guyana is even more obnoxious than the era of the man on horseback. A plane disappeared while on a flight from Ogle to the interior. The pilot and the baggage handler were never found and were presumed dead. When the wife of the bag handler went to collect her husband’s benefits, she was derecognized by a company that buys planes worth millions of American dollars. This company was a good friend to the last government; it is on good terms with the present government. This helpless lady was just another victim of class oppression. A man is placed before the courts for fraud on a commercial bank. The amount is $44 million less than one billion dollars. He was placed on three million dollars bail by a magistrate whose bail assignments, for the most petty
crimes, are seldom less than between $180,000 and $200, 000. The prosecutor didn’t raise the issue of flight risk. The magistrate didn’t see any contradiction in her bail amount. Obviously, the poorer you are the larger is the bail amount. It is called class oppression. Nigel Hinds, the well known accountant/auditor has accused Clive Thomas of betraying the working class. He left out Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Tacuma Ogunseye. All three were comrades of Walter Rodney; all three had openly acknowledged the need for revolution against the Burnham regime.
I was there with them. I wanted to create revolution too. The difference with me and them is that I still want to create revolution. And even more so because I believe the poor and powerless are even more pulverized than when Burnham was in power. Rupert Roopnaraine, Clive Thomas and Tacuma Ogunseye referred to themselves as Rodneyites. I wonder if that poor Amerindian pensioner understands what Rodneyism, after the name of Walter Rodney, means. I wonder if the dead baggage handler’s wife knows what Rodneyism is.
Frederick Kissoon Poor Walter! He must be turning in his grave. I leave you with one of my favourite quotes; “God is dead, Marx is dead, and I’m not feeling too well myself.”
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Putting waste in its place Every year on 18 April, since 1983, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) celebrates the International Day for Monuments and Sites. In Guyana we have some national monuments, and many community markers and sites that hold strong nostalgic significance for the people living in and around those communities. While Peru has Machu Picchu, a preserved piece of its extremely old Mayan civilization, Guyana has the vastness of our rainforests that do go as far back in time. Explorers have been marveling at the verdant wonders of Guyana’s greenery for Centuries. As we have been doing since 2015, we continue to encourage communities and residents to integrate their cultural heritage into their lives and into community activities. We encourage you to spread awareness of the differences in your communities then mold those differences into one workable whole. Your main objective is to preserve your cultures and ways of life, integrate it
with other cultures around you to make one properly diversified community that brings back the togetherness, trust and confidence in your neighbourhood and the assurance that no one goes without help … just like in the ‘old days’. There are many, many benefits to preserving your monuments and everything else that marks your town and community as what it is – even the old building that used to be the community’s recreation hall in bygone days. Why not preserve it for history’s sake, for information, to teach your children and grandchildren about your history; and fight to get back the happiness and comfort that you used to experience as a child. This is as good a time as any to remind you about the significance of one of Guyana’s oldest iconic structures that even today stands as our calling card to the world. The Stabroek Market is a tribute to our Victorian era architecture, a colossal visage of colonial history. It was built in 1842, but over the last two decades, the value of that famous calling card was tar-
nished by images posted to the internet showing piles of infested waste, sludge and decay. This Guyanese monument was allowed to lose its significance to this nation. Those pictures that made their way around the world served to sear the nation’s landscape and epitomize the decadence of our Capital City that used to be known as ‘the Garden City’, and the authorities’ response to it. Our world image had fallen flat and the then ‘administration’ chose to replace it with ‘Guyana, the South American narcotics transit point”. When the APNU+AFC Coalition took the reins of government in May 2015, we immediately set about restoring the city drain by clogged trench; public building by road; and market by market to bring this capital city back to at least a semblance of its former shining glory. The new Government plugged $300M into the Georgetown Restoration Programme conducted through City Hall, while the Ministries of Communities and Public Infrastructure and our determined citizens collaborated with the private
sector towards a common end. The Year of our Renaissance would sweep across the Guyana from coast to hinterland. This now serves as the precursor to our government’s draft Solid Waste Management Strategy. It’s aptly titled “Putting Waste In Its Place: A National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana 2017 – 2030”. The viaduct for its implementation is the Ministry of Communities through its mission to produce “Informed communities participating in a nationwide, integrated and financially self-sustaining waste management and resource recovery system; that preserves health and the environment; realizes maximum value from resources; and minimizes long-term households, industry, and government costs.” In short, to repeat an old proverb, “A stitch in time saves nine”. The core goal of the Ministry is “Less Waste Generated”. The strategy recognizes that avoiding or minimizing the generation of waste ultimately means that there
will be less materials, less landfill space to manage; the costs associated with transporting, sorting, and recycling waste would be reduced; less waste would go to dump sites; and a few cottage industries could materialize such as: · Actual sorting, especially to remove metalbased waste that could be exported to overseas-based companies · Development of another section of the craft industry that utilizes waste like coconut shells, vehicle tires, tin cans, cut/trimmed tree branches and trunks to make decorative items for yards, houses and even cemeteries. Waste reduction is one of the most efficient and least expensive waste management strategies, but it is also one of the most difficult to effect because the measures may require import restrictions and levies. Anywhere in the world these are politically unpopular. In Guyana we have to do something that makes sense, something that will benefit people, like encouraging them to repurpose and reuse broken household items, or generally turn trash into treasure. The new term
for this is Upcycling. It is accepted that waste disposal to landfills will continue to be an integral component of Guyana’s waste management system at least in the near future and we have factored that into the blueprint for better waste infrastructure. We have our own past experiences to draw on. The new infrastructure involves waste disposal systems that are compatible with land-use, that co-ordinate with regional needs for land space and usage, that maintain sanitary environments. We intend to phase out the region-by-region approach to waste management in favour of a centralized approach. This would optimize waste collection routes and consolidate waste disposal sites among other things. The objective is less cost and better efficiency of a software-driven initiative. As we reflect on International Day of Monuments and Sites 2017 let our Stabroek Market serve as a reminder of how far we have come from a decadent, ugly past to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Sunday April 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
My column
The things some people do Many things came to my mind this week. For one, I listened to President David Granger comment on the actions some parents take when they want to achieve something. In this case, the parents who were protesting wanted to see an end to the value added tax on tuition fees. Not satisfied with their efforts, they brought their children into the picket line. I was not aware that President Granger was aware of the protest, but when he commented on the children in the picket line I realized that not much happens that the Head of State does not know about. What caught my ear was the comment that the parents were putting children to do a job that they did not understand. Indeed, for the children the occasion was one of fun, but the long term result would be anything but fun. “Are (the parents) teaching these little children to hate?” I have not heard a reply, but I am certain that those parents who heard the question must be regretting their decision to have their children in the picket line. The other incident involved a nurse who saw an abuse of a very addictive drug
and spoke out. She said that she had been complaining for a long time, but no one seemed to pay heed. At issue here was the case of a former councillor on the Region Five Democratic Council. Her husband reportedly suffers from a diabetic foot condition and that was the excuse for the prescription. However, the councilor, Carol Joseph, accessed the drug for herself. I have known about Pethidine for some time. Nearly three decades ago I had cause to access the drug for a woman who had undergone goitre surgery. At the time the drug distribution centre was in Camp Street near to where the Citizens Bank operated. The drug had to be in demand, because the bond said that it had none, and the centre told me that just a few hours ago it had sent supplies to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Then came the bombshell. “The doctors are using it. Nearly half of them are drug addicts.” I got three vials, but the patient never used any, so it went back into the hospital stocks. I then had a friend who
was addicted to it. When he tried to wean himself off the drug after a long while he actually wrote about the addiction. Of course he went back and only the pressure from his wife actually removed him from the situation. I hate to think about the withdrawal. He is now overseas. A politician told a reporter that he knew of Carol Joseph’s addiction but he did not intervene because he was afraid that she would commit suicide. When she lived in Lodge, on one occasion she threatened to set herself alight and actually poured kerosene over her body. She did not light the match and had to be helped when the kerosene began to burn her. She ran out of her home naked and screaming. So here she was addicted to Pethidine and was being injected as many as twice a day with large doses. The nurse intervened and was sanctioned. That must not be allowed to stand. The nurse did the right thing, because Pethidine has so many side effects in addition to providing a drug high. The state jails people for marijuana and cocaine. Dr
Noel Blackman is facing jail time for wanton distribution of Oxycodone. The nurse saw the Fort Wellington Hospital supporting a drug habit and spoke out. People should have been arrested. There is a promised investigation and I await the outcome and the necessary prosecution. I am certain that hospitals must keep records of how they distribute drugs. Surely someone must be monitoring the distribution and would have seen the case of the Pethidine. We have seen some of the records and we have written about the findings. Needless to say, there will be some political fallout. People are going to say that because Ms. Joseph is a government supporter, she was actually encouraged to break the rules. The third issue to grab my attention involves a man who collected nearly a billion dollars from the Bartica
Branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry. I was never aware that any one person would encash some cheques for such large sums. The issue really grabbed attention. It exposed some shortcomings of the Guyana Gold Board and highlighted what actually happens in the gold fields. This young man had acquired a lot and now these assets are under threat. There was a bulletproof Lexus. I could imagine the cost of the vehicle, but I cannot imagine that such a vehicle came into the country and the Guyana Revenue Authority has no record of it. Since the advent of the new administration a lot is being exposed. I can only imagine what went on before. A lot of people must have been turning blind eyes and reaching out a hand to collect some of the spoils. Corruption had to be endemic. Is the money still around? I know that one of the commercial banks has closed the
Adam Harris young man’s account, so who now has this money? The young man had a lot of guns around and these have been seized. It would be interesting to know who granted the permits. The argument is that the young man was permitted to set up a security service. Who investigated him? There are more questions than answers. What I do know is that the young man is clever. At the end of the day there will be many snapping at his heels.
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Time for a Regional Economic Action Plan (Address by His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at the West Berbice Expo and Trade Fair) The Mahaica-Berbice Region is the bastion of Guyana’s food security. It has the potential and opportunity to become the country’s ‘rice bowl.’ The Region is rich in resources with: - an area of 4, 190 km2 that makes it larger than Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and St Vincent, all together; - an area of 324,000 hectares under cash-crop cultivation, 42,000 hectares under paddy and 1,600 hectares un-
der coconut cultivation and with large herds of cattle, goats and pigs and sheep; - an agrarian infrastructure and a culture of husbandry that is second to none anywhere in the country; and, - an ethnically-diverse population of about 50,000 persons that includes Africans, Amerindians and Indians and who practice the three major faiths – Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. The launching of the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority nearly forty years ago was the most transformative agricultural infrastructural development in the country’s history. The scheme changed
H.E. President David Granger the Region from that of a ‘basket case’ into the ‘food basket’ of the country and, potentially, of the Caribbean Community.
The Mahaica-Berbice Region is an agricultural powerhouse. It produced 247,296 tonnes of rice in 2016, accounting for 46 per cent of national production; 33,000 tonnes of sugar or 18 per cent of total national production; 28 million coconuts or 30 per cent of total national production; 74.7 million kilograms of poultry meat; 1.6 million kilograms of beef; 281, 824 kilograms of pork; 60.981 kilograms of mutton; 44.4 million litres of milk; 1,682 metric tonnes of marine fish and shrimp accounting for 16 per cent of national production in 2016; Economic diversification will expand the Region’s economy; insulate it against the effects of downturns in prices and demand for its commodities; compensate for any decline in earnings as a result of the decline in the traditional sectors and promote higher levels of employment. The West Berbice Chamber of Industry and Com-
merce is ideally placed to provide leadership in developing a Regional Economic Action Plan (REAP) to chart the course of economic diversification. It can do so not by inventing a new economy but by exploring new industries such as sports tourism (for example, horse-racing and cricket) and eco-tourism and by exploiting its long-established agricultural expertise, business entrepreneurship and experience in manufacturing. The Chamber, together with the Central Government, Regional Democratic Council, ten Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders, should consider developing a plan which would add value to the Region’s unquestionable advantages in animal husbandry and cultivation of fruit, coconuts, vegetables, rice and sugar. The Regional Economic Action Plan can be built on three pillars: · Export-oriented economy: This Region can become a major exporter of food. The business sector, in order to achieve this goal, must set its sights beyond satisfying the domestic market. It must increase its exports to Suriname and the Caribbean. Investors should be invited to improve meat and milk production. The Region’s agricultural production can become the basis for a strong agro-pro-
cessing industry. Labour should combine with land and capital investments from the business community to add value to production. Agro-processing and manufacturing can prevent spoilage and reduce crop losses. A wide range of products can be processed from coconut, fruit, milk and meat. The development of port facilities in the Berbice River will facilitate shipping commodities to other countries. · Energy-generation: Energy is essential to manufacturing and is a pillar of the green economy. The green path to development encourages the use of renewable energy sources, transportation and economic diversification into low-carbon sectors. Mahaica-Berbice needs investments in renewable energy and energy-saving technology. Partnerships aimed at ‘greening’ business, can be profitable. Access to energy is central to the plan for diversification. This Region has unexploited sources for solar, wind and bio-mass energy generation. · Economic diversification: This Expo and Trade Fair’s theme – “Promoting a diversified economy” – is not an empty slogan. It is a call for change. It is intended to ensure an expanded and diversified economy. Opportunities for eco-tourism abound. The Region possesses 660 species of birds and a wonderful variety of plants and animals. The wildlife and the proposed protected areas can be assets which help to diversify into eco-tourism. The government will announced its strategic plan to ensure there is at least one protected area in every Region. Arts, craft and cottageindustries should not be ignored. The village of Moraikobai is a jewel in the jungle; it produces some of the best craft in the country. There is no reason why anyone should be poor in this blessed Region. Its entrepreneurship, experience and expertise are the bases for economic diversification. The West Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce must be involved, along with the RDC, NDCs and NGOs, in drafting this Plan. Economic diversification requires an inclusive and consultative approach. The Region must collaborate with the neighbourhoods and cooperate with the Central Government.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
SUNDAY SPECIAL SUNDAY ECONOMIC SITUATION FORCES BUSINESSES TO RETRENCH COUNTRYWIDE In recent times, reports have emanated which suggests that companies in Guyana are taking measures to get rid of some of their workers due to the apparent “slow down” of the economy. These reports are coming from Berbice, Essequibo, Linden, Georgetown and other parts of the country which suggests that the situation is countrywide. Some businesses have resorted to laying off staff whilst some have reduced the number of working hours allotted to each staff member. Some business owners are positing that the economy is not doing so well and these difficulties being experienced are evidence of this. Last Saturday, the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Eddie Boyer, said that there is indeed a slowdown in the economy. He could not comment on the extent of the slowdown but expressed hope that the economy will “right itself”. He added that the Commission will be meeting shortly with the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. Over the past few weeks, Kaieteur News was visited by frustrated workers, many of whom claimed that they were laid off despite serving a particular company for years without receiving a “severance” package for their service. Last Saturday morning, one popular Water Street businessman, who requested anonymity, said that he currently has 200 workers and has tried ‘numerous times’ since Christmas to lay off some but could not. ”I called some of my workers in my office a few days ago and I began telling them about how business is getting worse and one of them started to cry. So it’s hard especially when you have people working eight, nine, 10 years with you. ”They become like family and to tell them that you can’t afford to keep them is you know…”
Cutting down on working hours is not an option for now but might be in the future, he said. ”It doesn’t make sense. Some of my workers come from far. Nobody wants to spend an hour to come to work and only work four hours and then spend another hour to go home. Cutting their salary is an option but not one that we are ready to take. I guess we will have to wait and see.” A Regent Street food importer told Kaieteur News that he has opted to reduce the number of containers he brings into the country. GUYANA LOSES $40M EVERY WEEK ON UNTAXED FUEL ENTERING REGION ONE – GRA COMMISSIONER The lack of proper administrative services in Barima-Waini, Region One for over 20 years has left Guyana leaking billions of dollars in taxes on an annual basis. This is the situation that the government has inherited from the PPP administration and is now scurrying to correct. Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, noted that the nation is actually losing approximately $40M in taxes every week on fuel at just two ports in Region One. He informed this newspaper that the matter is being looked at with moves being made to have the nec-
essary infrastructure and officials in place. This matter was also one that was raised by the Tax Reform Commission which was established by the Granger administration. The Tax Committee included the likes of Statia, economist Dr. Thomas Singh, Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram and Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Dr. Maurice Odle. According to the Commission, excise taxation of petroleum products in Guyana is quite distorted with a range of exemptions for particular industries and, at least in one case, an entire region. The Committee was informed by the Guyana Revenue Authority that fuel and other items entering Region One attract no tax, a practice which was allowed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo and which continues. Needless to say, the Commission said that this practice is completely unlawful and recommends its immediate cessation. US AUTHORITIES SLAPFINE ON DYNAMIC FOR CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS DELAYS The US Department of Transportation (DoT) has fined Dynamic International Airways, LLC, US$120,000 (estimate $24M) for delays in flights and processing passengers’ refunds. In a consent or-
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der served Thursday, DoT disclosed that it concerns violations by Dynamic in relation to regulations on public charter operations with respect to providing prompt refunds to passengers after flight cancellations and promptly notifying passengers of the cancellations. The violations also constitute violations of the regulations which prohibit unfair and deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition in air transportation. The DoT order did not immediately say the complaints it investigated were from Guyana. Dynamic conducts charter flights between Guyana and New York but had faced complaints about cancellations and delays in the past. It is locally being handled by Roraima Airways. Documents seen by Kaieteur News stated that Dynamic’s failure to promptly notify passengers of flight cancellations also violates the cease and desist provision made in March 2016. DoT documents explained that Dynamic is a certificated air carrier based in Greensboro, North Carolina. It conducts single entity charter flights and direct sales public charter flights between the United States and points outside of the United States. As a certificated carrier, Dynamic is required to comply with the Department’s reporting requirements. ”During 2016, Dynamic consistently failed to file in a timely manner applicable monthly and quarterly financial reports with the Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics as required by Sections 23-25 of Part 241.” MONDAY JORDAN TO CLICO…MONEY FIRST, BUSINESS LATER Finance Minister, Winston Jordan sought to set the record straight recently regarding the return of Chairman of CL Financial Group, Lawrence Duprey to Guyana. According to the economist, Duprey has three things on his agenda: apologize for Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO)’s past misgivings, understand how much CLICO owes Guyana and undertake certain investments if allowed. Jordan told the media that priority for Guyana will be getting back the money owed to it by CLICO. ”Our priority is to get back our money essentially, and like we said, unless it is a rogue investment, we don’t look down on investments generally and certainly not coming from a sister Caricom organization. So let’s focus on the things that really matter…,” the Finance Minister expressed. “We want back our money and once that can happen, we will look at other things.” Jordan said that if Duprey is willing to go into areas where there is very little investment then, “I don’t see why we should refuse.” CL Financial Group was the parent company of CLICO, an insurance giant which was based in the
Caribbean. Many who invested in CLICO are still to receive their monies. Only a few were able to get compensation when the company flopped. TUESDAY MINISTER WANTS ANSWERS FOR DELAYED $700M PORT KAITUMAHOSPITAL A protracted delay of the $700 million Port Kaituma Hospital is not being taken lightly by Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence. In fact, in order to address the dilemma, the Minister recently travelled to the Region One location to get answers from the relevant officials for the delay of the project. This is in light of the Minister’s disclosure that there is a dire need for the new facility. During her trip, Minister Lawrence visited the new site of the new hospital complex to see the extent of the work completed and to
ascertain what areas are lagging behind. According to the Minister, like the administration building, some minor works are yet to be done on the structure for the hospital and the Emergency Room as well as other services. She however noted that “we have some issues in terms of the doctors’ quarters on which works have just begun, and the nurses’ quarters for which they are now digging the foundation.” Among the aspects that have been completed for the new hospital is a generator hut, complete with a generator in place, and the mortuary. But Minister Lawrence informed that the refrigerator for the mortuary is yet to be put in place. Added to this, she disclosed that “there is no movement in terms of a furnace that should have been in place too…all of this is of great concern to me.” Given the various incomplete aspects of the project, the Minister informed that “I am going to be having a meeting with the consultant and the contractor, because we will have to come to some arrangement as to where we go. We cannot allow this project to keep continuing.” ”So the new hospital must get (Continued on page 32)
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(From page 31) going. We must have a completion date for the opening of that hospital or we will just be spending money at two ends of the stick, and that is not what we have set out in the programme,” asserted Minister Lawrence. The Minister during her Port Kaituma visit also observed the operation of the old Port Kaituma Hospital, following which she asserted that “there is a need for the new hospital to come on stream.” Moreover, as efforts are being made to complete the new hospital, Lawrence said that “we will now have to look at what monies we have in the budget to assist the old hospital in filling gaps where they exist…in the kitchen, with the electrical works, with plumbing works and to ensure that they have all of the requisite staff in the lab, so that we can be able to cut down the number of persons who have to travel to Georgetown for further analysis.” US$54M SPENT IN 2016 TO SERVICE EXTERNAL PUBLIC DEBT – A 5.6% DECREASE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR To service its external public debt, the Government in 2016 expended US$53.8M, which is US$0.1M lower than was projected. This is according to the End of Year Outcome report for 2016 which was presented to parliament on Thursday by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. The report was done to provide information to parliament concerning fiscal performance and the accuracy of economic forecasting.
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It is an update to a number of projected data used in the 2017 budget. According to the report, the reasons for the amount used to service the debt being lower than projected were the variances in exchange rates used at the time of the budget versus the actual exchange rates applied at the time of the payments. External public debt denotes money which the country owes to international lending agencies. The amount spent in 2015 to service external public debt was $20B or US$96M. This reduction is explained by the fact that in 2015, 11.1 per cent of total revenue was spent towards servicing the external public debt. However, for 2016, only 5.6 per cent of total revenue was used in this regard. In June 2016, it was reported that Guyana’s external debt declined by 2.7 per cent, or from US$1.175B at the end of June 2015 to US$1.143B at end of June 2016. The decline was due mainly to repayments of the oil debt to Venezuela in the form of rice and paddy shipments. External principal and interest payments totalled US$27.1M during the first half of the year, of which central government payments totalled US$24.5M. The total external debt service payments decreased by 46.9 per cent as compared to 2015. The Ministry of Finance had said that this reduction was a direct result of the decrease in debt service payments to Venezuela. The PetroCaribe Agreement and the Guyana-Venezuela Rice Trade Agreement (GVRTA) ceased in July 2015. The effect of this was that there were no more shipments of rice and
paddy to compensate for the oil debt to Venezuela. The document said that for 2016, 5.6 per cent of total revenue earned went towards servicing the external public debt, which was roughly the same as the 5.5 per cent projected at the time of the 2017 budget presentation. It was noted that this was a significant decrease compared with 11.1 per cent of total revenue being used back in 2015. As it relates to domestic public debt, the report said that as of December 31, 2016, the domestic public debt stock stood at US$438.6M. This is said to be marginally lower than the US$439.4M which was projected. Further, the report stated that Guyana’s total public debt totalled US$1.601B, which is US$1.6M higher than projected at the time of
the 2017 budget. This marginal increase, according to the Ministry, was mainly attributed to disbursements from the Export Import Bank of China. These payments were made in December 2016 and as a result were not included in the revised 2016 total public debt position at the time of the 2017 budget presentation. However, the change in the total public debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio remained as projected at the time of the budget presentation, with a decline from 48.6 per cent in 2015 to 46.4 per cent in 2016. In addition, as of December 2016, external public debt stock stood at US$1.162B, which was described in the report as being marginally higher than the projected 2016 figure of US$1.159B. This particular debt accounted for 72.6 per cent of total public debt stock at the end of the year. SEX WORKER DIES FROM SUSPECTED HEARTATTACK IN HOTEL ROOM The body of a commercial sex worker was found on the bed of a city hotel Monday morning, hours after she checked in with a male companion. The woman, whose name has been given only as “Medusi,” was discovered dead around 09:00hrs at John’s Beer Garden when police broke into a room she was occupying after she had failed to respond to hotel workers who went to inform her that her allotted time had expired. Her body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced
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dead. It is suspected that the woman suffered a heart attack. No marks of violence were found on her body. Owner of the hotel, Owen John, said that the woman was a regular visitor to the location, and it appeared that before she died, she had been smoking narcotics in the room. He explained that the woman died after her companion had left, since shortly after, hotel staffers heard a pipe being turned on and off and that was around 08:00 hrs, also the door was locked from the inside. The woman was said to be in her 40s. WEDNESDAY SLOWDOWN IN BANK LENDING SIGNALS INVESTMENTSAT STANDSTILL – BERBICE CHAMBERS TELL FINANCE MINISTRY A slowdown in loans and advances from the commercial banks is a worrying sign that investments are at a standstill. This came out of a meeting late last month between Berbice businesses and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and his team. The meeting was initiated by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and included executives of all the chambers in Berbice, according to the body in a statement. Among other things raised by the group, were a number of government policies which the chambers believed were not encouraging business. These included decisions this year by the administration to introduced VAT on water, electricity and education. The latter, which has sparked protests, was
described as “mean spirited and should be urgently reviewed”. Government has already said that VAT on education will remain for this year but several taxes will be reviewed for next year’s budget. According to the chambers, the taxes have a negative effect on the psyche of the ordinary man and will only service to discourage and de-motivate people. The issue of the SARA bill and the state of the Guyana Sugar Corporation as well as more services of GRA in Berbice were also raised. PUBLIC RELEASE OF FORENSICAUDIT REPORTS HAMPERING POLICE PROBES – JUNIOR FINANCE MINISTER Reports of forensic audits conducted into state agencies will no longer be made public. This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma. The Minister explained that the decision to no longer make public releases came on the heels of complaints from the Guyana Police Force, to the effect that the public disclosures of the wrongs committed by state officials put a strain on investigations. He said, “The police found it better when (the reports) are not made public; they get better cooperation in terms of getting people to speak.” Sharma made the disclosure as he spoke about recommendations in the audit reports that point to criminal proceedings. Sharma said (Continued on page 41)
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(From page 32) that the government would like to give the police a better chance to carry out criminal investigations “so that justice can be given to the people of Guyana”. Aside from recommendations for criminal proceedings, most audit reports contained numerous recommendations on how to better the agencies and companies. However, little is known about the implementation of these. Sharma said that the onus is on the various Boards to have the recommendations implemented. ”The audits were done to strengthen the entities, so the reports go to the boards, because there are some administrative things that need to be put into place.” Sharma singled out the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest). He said that most changes being implemented by that Board are based on the recommendations contained in the report of the audit conducted into the agency. He then turned his attention to the audit into the Student Loan Scheme. ”Everything that was recommended for Student Loans was considered. The Ministry of Finance put all these things in place; like a new building and the regularization of the system to make sure money is paid, etc.” LETHEM BANK GUARD KILLED WHILE DEFENDING WIFE FROM ROBBER A security supervisor at the Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry, Lethem, was Tuesday tragically killed after he rushed to the defence of his wife against a bandit. The incident has left that Region Nine community in deep shock and two young sons are now without a father. Dead is Haimchand ‘Raj’ Persaud, 31, of Tabatinga, Lethem, and from the Essequibo coast, Region Two. According to reports, shortly before 2 am Tuesday, Persaud and his wife, Shenika Xavier, 22, were heading home from a pageant held at a hotel in Lethem when they were pounced upon. Persaud had gone there with a motorcycle, but decided against riding home because of a few drinks he had. He instead opted to walk with his wife. Family members indicated that the incident happened not far from the GBTI compound, in the vicinity of Carly Bus Service. The robber, who was dressed in a red shirt, had a cloth wrapped around his face to mask his identity. The couple had reportedly turned onto a dark street in the direction of their home, and appeared to have been followed. The robber ran up to the woman and attempted to grab her bag. However, Persaud immediately rushed to her defence. During a scuffle with the robber, the bank official was stabbed in the chest. The assailant is believed to have panicked and abandoned the rob-
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bery bid. He escaped on a motorcycle that was ridden by another man. In the meantime, his wife reportedly ran screaming to a nearby army base, but no one came out. She then went for help at a nearby hotel. Relatives said that by the time Persaud was taken to the Lethem Hospital, he was dead. THURSDAY GOLD DEALER MONEY LAUNDERING PROBE WIDENS… RASUL DETAINED; LUXURY BIKES, JET SKI, OTHER ITEMS SEIZED -FORMER EMPLOYEE’S ENTIRE FAMILYARRESTED As the investigation into the alleged $956M bank fraud by Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul widens, the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) on Wednesday arrested the gold dealer after he turned himself into the unit. There were also simultaneous raids conducted on properties belonging to Rasul and his associates. Around midday Wednesday, SOCU swooped down on the Lot 25 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown home of Ricardo
Fagundes, a close associate of the embattled gold dealer. Tessa Fagundes, the sister of Ricardo Fagundes, told the media that SOCU presented a search warrant when they visited the address, and said that they were after computers, laptops and phones among other items. The woman said that this was about the third visit that SOCU made to her brother’s address. She said that her brother no longer works with ‘Bobby’ and that the constant visits by SOCU have been frustrating. During the raid, the units seized three high value sports motorbikes, a Jet Ski, and reportedly found a bag with ammunition. The entire family that was at the property at the time was arrested. In what appeared to be a coordinated raid, the unit also descended on the residence of a business associate of Rasul in Bartica. The man was reportedly arrested and transferred to Georgetown for further questioning and a number of documents were seized from that property. This newspaper has learnt that Rasul’s Gordon Street, Kitty business place was also subjected to a SOCU visit on Wednesday as well,
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and a sport utility vehicle was taken away. When contacted, a SOCU official confirmed that the unit is conducting a money laundering probe into the operations of Rasul. The official did confirm at the time that the gold dealer was in police custody. Rasul appeared in court on April 3, last, and was placed on $3M bail after he was charged with six counts of fraud. Rasul found himself in hot water after allegedly collecting $956M at the Bartica, Region Seven branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) based on a number of cheques he deposited; the cheques later bounced. It is protocol that banks would normally hold other banks’ cheques until they are cleared, before making payments against them. However, it appears as though this procedure was flouted by GBTI officials, one bank official has since been sacked. Kaieteur News learnt that Rasul visited the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) multiple times per day and those visits should have raised immediate suspicions because they indicated that R. Mining Inc. owned by Rasul was supposedly washing down at its mining operations several times a day. SPECIALMETERSAMONG MEASURES TO VERIFY ACCURACY OF OIL FIND – TROTMAN TELLS PARLIAMENTARYCOMMITTEE To ensure that Guyana receives its fair share of oil found in the Stabroek Block, the government will be employing the use of special meters as part of its entire programme to ensure Guyana is not shortchanged by the oil giant, ExxonMobil. This was made known Wednesday to the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, when he was quizzed on the issue by Parliamentarian and Committee Member,
Jermaine Figueira. The MP asked Trotman whether, based on the estimated oil find of 800 million to 1.4 billion barrels of oil, government has a system in place to verify the total amount of oil claimed to be found below Guyana’s seabed. Figueira asked, “This data, is it a reflection of ExxonMobil’s data or has government taken steps to do its own independent investigation to ascertain if this is the actual find that is being proposed by ExxonMobil?” According to Trotman, the verification of the amount of oil is something which his government is moving independently towards. Trotman said, “Rest assured, that the level of excitement and the level of interest that this project has generated all over the world tells us that it is no ordinary find. It is being named in the industry as one of the best finds in the last two to three decades in any part of the world.” Moreover, Trotman said that at the time of production, one of the things which the government will have to do is install its own meters, gauges and pumps, so that Guyana can independently verify the quantity of oil being extracted. He said that it will be almost akin to what is done when persons purchase gasoline from the service station. ”There is going to be real time monitoring both onshore and on the vessel on a 24-hour basis to ensure that the production is as they (ExxonMobil) said it would be.” He said that the issue is one which government has been considering addressing by implementing several means of corroborating and cross-referencing the information. He admitted that government has been told one figure and it may be far more or even less. However, he said that he believes that persons would want to underestimate so as to manage expectations. In addition, he said that government has retained the services of independent sources such as (Continued on page 42)
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(From page 41) consultants and contractors to report to the state what exactly is below the Stabroek Block. Further, he said, “One indicator of course is that the vessel that is being retrofitted, the FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) which is being done in Singapore, will tell you the volume of production and size of well.” The Minister said that currently there is a process whereby the Ministry is going through ExxonMobil’s application for a production licence. Trotman explained that during this process, the verification of oil quantity is one of the issues which will have to be rectified before the licence is granted. BODY OF MINER FOUND IN SHALLOW GRAVE, TWO WEEKSAFTER BEATING – EMPLOYER, COLLEAGUE IN CUSTODY A little boy flying his kite on Tuesday at Karrau Backdam, Three Miles, Mazaruni stumbled upon the body of a man buried in a three-foot deep grave some two weeks ago. The victim has so far only been identified as Kevin, a resident of Region Seven. According to reports, after the body of the miner was discovered, the child’s parents informed the police, who went to the scene to investigate. Shortly after, an arrest was made. Divisional Commander, Ravindradat Budhram confirmed that two persons have been arrested and are said to be cooperating with investigators. Kaieteur News understands that the suspects have been identified as the victim’s employer and a colleague. The victim, whose body was decomposed when it was discovered, was reportedly attacked with pieces of wood and a cutlass after he was accused of stealing raw gold. When investigators removed the remains from the shallow grave on
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Tuesday afternoon, it was determined that the victim was clad in a pair of blue pants and a jersey. A police source explained that the victim started working with one of the individuals in custody, at a mining camp in Mazaruni some months ago. Two weeks ago, a quantity of raw gold went missing from the camp and the victim’s employer accused him of stealing the valuables. It is being reported that the two men got into an argument which resulted in a scuffle. This newspaper was informed that the two men went their separate ways and later in the night, the victim’s employer returned and dealt him several chops with a cutlass and struck him with a piece of wood. Kaieteur News was told that the victim’s colleague did not play a part in his death but may have witnessed part of the incident. He is providing police with information as investigations continue. FRIDAY MONEY LAUNDERING INVESTIGATIONS…GOLD BOARD HEAD, DEPUTY, LEGAL OFFICER SENT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE Three of the most senior officials of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) have been sent on administrative leave as the police continue investigations into alleged money laundering activities of gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul. According to a letter dated April 20, 2017 to General Manager, Lisaveta Ramotar, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, the police requested several staffers to be sent on leave to facilitate the investigations. Ramotar is the daughter of former President, Donald Ramotar. The investigations are being conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the police, that has been focusing on financial crimes. In addition to Ramotar, also to receive letters are Deputy General Manager, Andrea Seelochan, and Le-
gal/Compliance Officer, Suzanne Bullen. According to the letter to Ramotar, the police have commenced an investigation into allegations of money laundering and suspected involvement of staff members of GGB. The ministry said it is giving the police its full support and cooperation. ”On April 19th, 2017, I have received a request from the Guyana Police Force for further investigation to ensue and for several Gold Board officers, including you, to be sent on leave to facilitate the conduct of the investigation,” the letter from the minister said. ”In the circumstance it has therefore been decided to send you on Administrative leave, with immediate effect, to allow the police to complete their investigation. Further, you are expected to continue to cooperate with the investigating ranks in the conduct of the investigation.” Ramotar was also told that on the completion of the investigation, she will be advised further. The troubles at the GGB came to the fore earlier this month when news broke that Bartica gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, was arrested in a $956M fraud at the Guyana Bank
Sunday April 23, 2017
For Trade and Industry. The alleged fraud saw police later charging Rasul with several counts and placed on $3M bail. Former Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang, will come out of retirement to perform the duties as a special prosecutor. Details of Rasul’s transactions with GGB later came to light and it was alleged that the businessman, who has interests in several parts of the country, including Bartica and the city, was involved in questionable transactions with GGB. It was alleged that Rasul and his gold dealing and mining companies cooked up a scheme in which he sold gold purchased as mined ones. He allegedly as a result defrauded the state of almost $100M in taxes over a three-month period late last year. GOLD DEALER MONEY LAUNDERING PROBE WIDENS…SOCU SEIZES SEVERAL WEAPONS FROM BARTICA Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul and the family that was found at the 25 Sandy Babb Street Kitty address where a large quantity of ammunition was found, remain of interest to the police as a major money laundering probe continues.
In custody with Rasul is Ricardo Fagundes, a former employee of Rasul, who is believed to have been at the Sandy Babb Street address at the time of Wednesday’s raid that was conducted by the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) in conjunction with the Guyana Police Force. Kaieteur News has learnt that Rasul has a security firm in Bartica and a number of gun licenses were issued to that firm. The police have since seized a quantity of weapons belonging to the firm and the gun licences are being revoked. The police are also trying to locate a sport utility vehicle belonging to Rasul. It is believed that the vehicle might have left the country. When contacted Thursday, head of SOCU Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James confirmed that ammunition was indeed found at the Sandy Babb Street address and that aspect of the probe has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). James said the ammo find is now being investigated by the police. His unit continues to look at the money laundering aspect of the investigation with Rasul at the centre of those investigations. The SOCU head also confirmed that another associate of Rasul, who this newspaper learnt is Wassim Kassim, is being interviewed by SOCU in connection with money laundering connected to the embattled gold dealer. On Wednesday, the police in what appeared to be a well coordinated raid descended on a number of addresses, including one in Bartica where Kassim was found. He was arrested and brought to Georgetown for further interrogation. James was asked if his unit is investigating whether there was collusion between Guyana Gold Board (GGB) officials and Rasul, and he said that SOCU is interviewing officials from that entity. NURSE’S REVELATION FORCES DRUG-DEPENDENT COUNCILLOR TO RESIGN Carol Joseph has resigned from her post as a Councillor on the Region Five Democratic Council. While her letter to the Council did not cite a reason for the resignation, it does follow the disturbing allegation of her becoming addicted to a pain killing medication, and using her position to have frequent acc e s s t o i n jections at the Fort Wellington Hospital. It was Nurse Sherilyn Marks who, over the course of several months, was tasked with administering the injections. After realising that the APNUaligned Councillor was receiving doses of Pethidine more frequently than required, the nurse lodged a complaint with health authorities, both at the level (Continued on page 43)
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(From page 42) of Central Government, and the regional department. After no action was taken, Marks followed up with another correspondence in December 2016. Her persistence to have the issue addressed was based on the fear of being held liable for not administering the doses as prescribed by the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act of Guyana. Soon enough, 2016 turned to 2017 and Marks’s concerns were still not addressed. Having exhausted all other avenues, Marks decided to highlight her plight via a letter to the press. After the piece she penned was published, the young woman received a letter from the Regional Health Office, saying that she was being transferred from the Fort Wellington Hospital to the Bath/Experiment Health Centre, effective Thursday, April 20, 2017. The letter sought to inform Marks that her transfer was done “in an effort to establish good vaccination coverage within this catchment area.” Contacted by this newspaper, Marks was not very open to speaking. ”I’m being treated like I somehow went against protocol. Everybody coming towards me right now,” she said. Marks spoke of having had a meeting with Ministry of Health officials Thursday, but refused to give details as to what was discussed. ”I really don’t have anybody backing me,” she added.
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It was the Coalition Government that had been pushing for Protected Disclosure / Whistle Blower Legislation, intended to protect individuals who disclose acts of corruption or other wrongdoing occurring in the country. But despite all the initial enthusiasm, the document has still not been presented to the National Assembly. SATURDAY GOLD DEALER MONEY LAUNDERING PROBE… GRA SEIZES LUXURY LEXUS A Lexus LX 570 SUV belonging to Bartica gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, was seized, yesterday, by officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority from a Campbellville auto body shop. The vehicle was transported on a tow truck to GRA’s Eccles Industrial Site State Warehouse around 16:00hrs. It appeared as though body work was being done on the vehicle since most of it was in matte black and various parts had spots of primer which suggests that the vehicle was about to be repainted. The average cost for such a vehicle is $20M. This is not the first vehicle seized by GRA. Two Wednesdays ago the tax agency swooped down on Rasul’s Prashad Nagar home shortly after 13:00hrs and seized his tinted Toyota Hilux. That vehicle is believed to have been imported from Brazil earlier this year but was never declared to Customs. There was no evidence that taxes or duties were paid. The vehicle was found bearing the num-
bers PKK 1996. However, that vehicle does not appear in GRA’s records. Further, two days ago, ranks from the Special Organised Crime Unit arrested Rasul. Simultaneous raids were conducted on properties belonging to Rasul and his associates. PROBE INTO MAZARUNI SHALLOW GRAVE MURDER POINTS TO MINER’S COLLEAGUE With two men pointing fingers at each other for the killing of miner Keon Mentore, an investigation has found that it was the victim’s colleague who killed him and then buried his remains in a three-foot deep grave some two weeks ago. However, further investigation is ongoing to determine whether Mentore’s employer, a dredge owner, also played a part in his murder. Divisional Commander, Ravindradat Budhram said that advice was sought and it has been recommended to charge the miner’s colleague with his murder. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect will be charged with murder sometime next week since the police are still doing some additional investigation to determine the role played by the employer in Mentore’s murder. POLICE REINSTITUTE CHARGESAGAINST EMBATTLED GOLD DEALER Police have reinstituted six new
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charges against embattled gold dealer Mohamed Rafeek Rasul, who is currently under investigation for money laundering by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). The new charges for obtaining credit by false pretence comes two weeks after Rasul appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded not guilty to six charges which had alleged that he obtained a total of $956M from GBTI by falsely pretending he had cash in his account at Citizens Bank to honour the Citizens Bank cheques, he encashed. Yesterday, Attorney for Rasul, Sandil Kissoon, made an application before Magistrate Crystal Lambert presiding at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court to have the new charges dismissed. According to the lawyer, the particulars of the new charges are identical to the charges that were withdrawn. He explained that the new charges contained the same date, cheque numbers and the amount of money as the old charges. Sandil Kissoon, however, pointed out that the new charges were filed under a different section of the Criminal Law Offence Act. On these grounds, the lawyer made an application before the Magistrate to have the charges dismissed in the presence of Prosecutor Ian Chang, former Chief Justice
(ag). The lawyer explained that the charges were withdrawn after his client entered not guilty pleas and that this amounts to a dismissal. He added that reinstituting the identical charges after a withdrawal of the previous charges gives rise to a Plea In Bar, which means that his client cannot be tried again. Magistrate Lambert will on May 12 make a ruling on the defence application. The lawyer is furthermore contending that it is unethical for Justice Chang to prosecute the case since he is a former CJ and former member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) which appointed the Magistrate. According to the lawyer, such an action is not permitted by law. Attorney Kissoon noted that in most Commonwealth states there is an express provision preventing a retired judge from practicing as an Attorney-at-Law in the court. Chang who went into retirement earlier this year was granted permission by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to take over prosecution of the case against Rasul from police. According to reports, at a GBTI branch in Bartica cheques were drawn on Citizens Bank and $956M was deposited to Rasul’s account.
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Sunday April 23, 2017
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: The infection that can leave women infertile By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. It is the most common serious infection among young women, with approximately 4.5% of sexually active women of reproductive age having it at any one time. It usually affects sexually active women during their childbearing years. About one in every seven women receives treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease at some point in
her life. PID is the most common preventable cause of infertility. The infection can cause tissue inside the fallopian tubes to become scarred, which can damage the fallopian tubes or block them completely. The more often a woman gets this infection, the greater her risk of becoming infertile. The risk doubles with each bout of the disease. WHAT CAUSES PID? Researchers believe most cases develop from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), infections that are spread
through sexual contact. The two diseases most likely to lead to PID are gonorrhea and chlamydia. Without treatment, the same bacteria that cause these diseases also can cause PID. PID usually develops in a two-stage process. First, the organisms infect the cervix (opening of the uterus). Then, in about 10% of women, the bacteria migrate up to the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. Less commonly, PID can develop if bacteria get into the upper portions of the reproductive tract after childbirth,
after inserting an intrauterine device (IUD) or after an induced abortion. All of these procedures carry some risk of infection, especially if the patient also has an STD. PID is most common in women younger than age 25 who have more than one sex partner. Women who have had an STD have a higher risk of getting PID, as do those who have already had a previous pelvic infection. Any woman whose sex partner has more than one sex partner is also at increased risk of pelvic infection. WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PID? Symptoms can be severe, minor or nonexistent. The most common symptoms include: · Pain in the pelvis and lower abdomen · Discharge from the vagina with an unpleasant odor · Fever and chills · Nausea and vomiting · Pain during sexual intercourse HOW IS PID DIAGNOSED? Your doctor will ask about your medical history, including the sexual habits of both you and your partner or partners. Your doctor also will ask about your symptoms and methods of birth control. A pelvic (vaginal) examination will reveal whether your reproductive organs are tender or swollen. This helps to identify the specific site of infection. The diagnosis of PID is not always easy because the site of infection cannot be examined easily. Also, the symptoms sometimes mimic
symptoms of other conditions, such as appendicitis. During the pelvic examination, your doctor may swab the inside of your cervix with a sterile, cotton-tipped swab. A laboratory will test the sample for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Your doctor may order a blood test to see if your white blood cell count is high, which may indicate that the PID is more severe. If the diagnosis is not certain, your doctor may choose to do an ultrasound or, in rare cases, a computed tomography (CT) scan CAN IT BE PREVENTED? Other than avoiding sexual intercourse, there is no guaranteed way to prevent PID. However, women who are in stable sexual relationships with only one partner have very little risk if neither person was infected with an STD from a previous partner. Condoms provide protection against STDs. Because most cases of PID are linked to STDs, treating a woman’s sex partners is essential to prevent repeat infections. All recent sex partners of a woman with PID should be examined by a doctor and treated as if they had both gonorrhea and chlamydia. A woman with PID should not have sex again until her sex partners have been treated. HOW IS IT TREATED? The primary treatment for PID is antibiotics, and in most cases, antibiotics alone can cure the infection. Because pelvic inflammatory disease often is caused by more than one type of organism, two or more antibiotics may be nec-
Dr. Zulfikar Bux essary. Antibiotics can be taken by mouth or intravenously (through a vein). If you use oral antibiotics, it is important to finish all of the medication, even if the symptoms go away. This is because the infection can still be present after the symptoms disappear. In most cases, antibiotics must be taken for 10 to 14 days. Some women with a severe infection need to be hospitalized to receive antibiotics intravenously. If fever and pain do not improve after several days, you may need a pelvic ultrasound or CT scan to see if an abscess has formed. If you have an abscess, you probably will need surgery in addition to antibiotics to cure the infection. Getting prompt treatment and follow-up care can cure pelvic inflammatory disease and keep it from causing further problems. Follow your doctor’s advice closely, finish all your medication and return to your doctor for all scheduled checkups. To avoid reinfection, your sex partner(s) also should be treated, and you should follow all of the recommendations for prevention.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Black Bush Polder farmers appeal for street lights The ‘Three Bridges’ area that farmers want illuminated.
Farmers in Black Bush, Corentyne, Berbice, during a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Office representative, Gobin Harbhajan, in the village, highlighted several issues that they are currently dealing with. One of the main topics discussed was the urgent need for street lights along the roadways and at bridge points. Chairman of the Black Bush Water Users Association, Sirpaul Hemraj, requested the street lights on behalf of the farmers. “We are asking if we could have street lights at strategic points, especially by the
street head, and street lamps would do well for us.” Over the years the area developed and vehicles would frequent the Black Bush roads; however it remained plagued with the extreme darkness which many say is a driving and security hazard. Some farmers are of the view that having lights illuminating the area would be a major development that would be welcomed by all. Hemraj stated: “In Mibicuri we only have 20 something streets and just about one third occupied. We are talking about parts that
people occupy, but the three bridges - all the bridges and along the roadside lighting is needed.” In response to farmer’s requests, the Prime Minister’s rep promised to assist in making the lights a reality. “I agree with you but I want you to identity the areas and take it to the NDC, also have a letter sent to the Regional Chairman and a letter dispatched to me also and I will take it from there but ensure that it goes to NDC.” The farmers agreed and stated that they are looking forward to a timely response.
Questions raised over armoured ... From page 10 a sport utility vehicle was taken away. Rasul had appeared in court on April 3, 2017 and was placed on $3M bail after he was charged with six counts of fraud. However, those charges were withdrawn and six new charges were instituted. Meanwhile, Kaieteur
News has learnt that the gold dealer owned a security firm in Bartica and a number of gun licenses were issued to that firm. The police have since seized a quantity of weapons belonging to the firm and the gun licenses are being revoked. The gold dealer found himself in hot water after
allegedly collecting $956M at the Bartica, Region Seven branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) based on a number of cheques he deposited; the cheques later bounced. Commercial Banks would usually hold cheques from other Banks until they are cleared before making payments on them. However, there was disregard for this procedure by GBTI officials resulting in one employee being dismissed. Further, it was learnt that Rasul visited the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) on multiple occasions in one day which eventually raised suspicions because it indicated that R. Mining Inc., owned by Rasul, was washing down at its mining operations several times a day. However, it was found to be impossible for this to happen. Despite this, the man’s company was allowed to continue its practice over a three month period – September to November 2016 without attracting any attention. Over time, it was these visits by Rasul at GGB that caused officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources to call in SOCU to investigate if there was collusion between employees of that entity and Rasul. The Ministry also wants to know if this dealing by Rasul and the GGB was used as an avenue to launder large sums of cash.
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Kaieteur News
Atraumatic Restorative Technique By Dr. NerominiFagu Providing dental care can be very challenging in remote areas where equipment and electricity is unavailable. This is especially so when it comes to restorative treatment. Most of the time doing a filling requires the use of electrical equipment for the removal of decay and preparation of the tooth for a restoration. The use of atraumatic restorative technique (ART) was introduced in the 1980’s in Tanzania and was then followed by several community field trials in Thailand, Zimbabwe and Pakistan. ART was developed primarily for use in community and schoolbased programmes. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) defines ART as “a dental caries treatment procedure involving the removal of soft, demineralized tooth tissue using hand instruments alone, followed by restoration of the tooth with an adhesive restorative material, routinely glass ionomer�. ART is considered as an acceptable treatment for dental caries when traditional cavity preparation and the placement of traditional dental restorations are not possible. It may also be used in the management of caries for adolescents, adults and
persons with special health care needs. ART is a simple and affordable way to provide difficult-to-reach populations with needed dental service. It is a way of treating small and medium sized decay in order to repair a tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted if left untreated. The treatment does not require any sophisticated equipment or numbing of the tooth. The materials for the restorations are very economical as they cost less than amalgam and composite fillings. They also contain fluoride to guard against future decay. ART is indicated for situations involving decay that has not reached the pulp and are accessible to hand instruments. It is not used as treatment if there is an abscess near the tooth or if there is pulpal exposure of the tooth. The procedure itself is very straightforward. Hand instruments are needed and they include mirrors, probes, tweezers, and excavators. Hatchets are used to access underlying carious dentine and the removal of unsupported demineralized enamel. Sharp excavators aid in the removal of soft necrotic dentine and the exposure of the harder tissue at the dentino-enamel junction. It is not necessary to remove all softened, minimally infected, and sensitive
dentine in close proximity to the dental pulp if there are no signs and symptoms of pulpitis. After removing the carious tooth material with hand instruments, the cavity is cleaned and then conditioned with a special substance. The cavity is then filled with a conventional high viscosity self-hardening filling material which is placed in close contact with the cavity walls. The excess material is then pressed firmly into the cavity and adjacent enamel fissures with a lubricated gloved finger. Then the occlusion is adjusted and the restoration sealed with a varnish. Because there is no use of local anesthetic, fear and anxiety of treatments are significantly lower in patients who receive ART therapy compared to conventional therapy. The glass ionomer material will continue to release fluoride after setting which has the added advantage of arresting and preventing caries around the restorations. Past studies have shown the improvements in oral health achieved in both the primary and permanent dentitions of children when the ART approach has been used. ART is a very simple restorative technique, which causes no pain to the patient. The approach requires minimal cavity preparation that conserves sound tooth tissues and causes less
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
GNBS working with Regional Bodies to Revise National Building Code The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) as the National Standards Development body is currently working with CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in reviewing the dated National Building Code. The Building code which was developed in the late 1990s needs to reflect the changing landscape in regards to new materials, designs and requirements. As such, the GNBS is looking to examine the code set out by the OECS to improve the existing National Building code. Additionally, with the development of a Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (REEBC) which is supported by CROSQ, Guyana will be able to adopt that code and use it as a guide to construct energy efficient buildings. In relation to enforcement, Part one of the current Building Code refers to the establishment of a Building Authority. This Authority will determine the competence of contractors and regulate the work of all engineers and other players in the building and construction sector; all of whom will need to be registered with the authority before any work can be carried out. The authority would also be responsible for facilitating the accreditation of building products, construction methods, designs,
components and systems. All of which is included in the GCP 9-1:2005 Standard. This will address current issues of substandard work, poor quality products and inefficient building designs that exist in the country. It is important to note that the GNBS is not the body responsible for the monitoring of the quality of buildings and building materials. The Bureau is responsible for monitoring the quality of 20 categories of commodities imported and locally manufactured. These can be viewed on the GNBS website www.gnbsgy.org. In addition, the Bureau is also responsible for organising the revision of Standards and encourages the public and experts in the Building and Construction field to continue to provide feedback that would aid the creation of an improved version of the Building code. With the Building code being voluntary and the lack of an established building authority, it leaves the market open to unscrupulous practices. It is hoped that the Government will intervene and have the Building Code Authority established so as to bring order and stabilisation to the construction sector. For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065, and 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website.
trauma to teeth. The glass ionomer filling material bonds to the tooth and contains fluoride to prevent further decay. It is ideal for conditions in which traditional treatment options are not possible. It is a friendly procedure where no electric drills or anesthetic injections are necessary
making it ideal for use among children, fearful adults, physically and mentally handicapped, and the elderly. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
Dr. Neromini Fagu
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WANTED 1 Experienced general domestic to work in G/town, must know to cook Indian dishes. Call: 656-6388
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Floor sanding & Lacquering, house plans, estimate & painting, boat for Santa Mission. Call: 650-4362 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Veterinary Services, East Side Animal Clinic @ 147 Section ‘A’ Grove Block ‘Y’ East Bank. Call: 216-4144/ 6817215 B U I L D I N G CONTRACTOR, ESTIMATES, HOUSE PLAN TO BE DRAWN, ETC. CALL: 216-0671, 6928464, 622-0267 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician, FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!!
TAXI SERVICE G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) Clarke Kent Cabs, located at Kingston, exceptional services. Email: clarkekentcabs@yahoo.com. Call: 231-0800/ 231-0801
One nail technician at West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road Ruimzeight. Call: 269-1524/ 656-3561
Tuschen, Uitvlugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling. We pay best price. Call: 666-2326 VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501
Business opportunities needed to invest in Gold trade in Interior. Call: 658-7553 Truck Driver. Call: 227-1717
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 Complete Sawmill at Yarrowkabra Linden Soesdyke Highway and 1 F66 – Clarke, Ranger Skidder. Call: 609-8041/ 644-1190
1 Double Stall for sale @ Bourda Market Section D. Call: 665-7896 New Danby portable air conditioner – 1,200 BTU $95,000, LG Microwave, open 1.1 CV 12OV - $65,000. Call Lenox: 697-4977
Carpenter, Tiler, Plumber, mason, painter & one day domestic helper, preferably from East Bank. Call: 625-3705
Computer with Keyboard, CPU, speakers, printed fitter on desk. (Screen not working) - $30,000. Call: 6992067, 270-4286
Fully loaded Ford explore sport truck, excellent condition, 22" rims, surrender sound system, DVD head rest. Call: 627-7718
We are buying land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt, Melanie and anywhere else. Call: 6585897/651-1969
1 RZ bus EFI in Excellent condition, BKK Series - $900,000 negotiable. Call: 617-6781
1 Welder to work in the Interior. Call: 625-5136
SALE! SALE! 2011ALLION $3.350M, 2011 BLUEBIRD $2.7M, 2010 RACTICS $2.5M,ALLVEHICLESFULLY LOADED&UNREGISTERED. CALL: 642-7295
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business.Call: 226-7012
1 Fishing boat for 38-7-8 inch. Call: 677-6154
Not working vehicles for sale, 1 small bus, 1 canter, 2 cars, 2 motor bikes, 1 bobcat. Call: 227-4377/624-6013
Unregistered 2010 Fielder $2.5M, Dark Interior. Call: 6175536
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Space for rent @ Vreed-en Hoop Junction, lessons place, church, storage bond, office, others -$20,000 monthly. Call: 603-6400
1 Ice- Cream Freezer, glass top -$45,000. Call Simone: 6265317
Contract hire car to work @ GR Taxi. Contact Ganesh: 614-6202
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013
AutoCad Technician. Must be familiar with AutoCAD 2008 or higher. Computer will be provided. Call: 628-2962
19 Seat minibus, BRR8754. Call: 626-5869
FOR RENT
Two Massey Ferguson Tractors, one 4299 and one 290, price negotiable. Call 611-1277 for more information.
Toyota Pickup (Tacoma) 2002 /4 wheel drive Manual 4 cylinder - $3M negotiableCall: 649-7771/ 690-7155
Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 General Computer Repairs and maintenance, replaced damaged laptops screens and more. Contact Dynatec: 225-2303
Experienced Cashier, Apply at Hacks Halaal Restaurant, with written application, 5 Commerce Street.
Live in waitress, domestic & supervisor 18-45yrs, salary starts -$80,000 monthly, boarding & lodging free (Bar & Grocery). Call: 610-3974
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
32 Inches Sony Television not working -$15,000, 2 Sony speakers for stereo set $6,000. Call: 699-2067/ 2704286 7840 Ford Tractor Baldan Rome Plough Chipper, cage wheel, 16inch pump, complete music set. Call: 2282551/ 613-3175
Maid must know how to cook & clean well, need reference from E.C.D – Contact: 677-4637
1-Bottom flat 2 rooms apartment situated pm East Bank Demerara. Call: 6886228 Upper flat $120,000 and lower flat $100,000 fully furnished 2 bedrooms for rent in Barr St. Call 592-6011700 serious inquiries only. Two bedroom bottom flat, fully grilled, fenced, concrete yard @ Tuschen Housing Scheme. Call: 692-5525/2663973 Self-contained room: bed, wardrobe, light included $30,000 monthly + security @ South Ruimveldt Gardens. Call: 623-0076 Fully furnished house with five rooms and four bathrooms. Call: 641-0959/ 225-0140 Business property to rent near Campbellville Secondary School. Call: 6276480/ 613-6815
Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land 91X50, house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 self-contained$23M. Call: 718-213-6496/ 617-7691 Property Execution Sale Berbice Sub- Registry 27Apr-2017 at 10.00 hrs. Contact 335-3344 or 616-4821 for details. Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Diamond -$7.5M Call: 6880087, 638-8484 Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 6880087, 638-8484 Tuschen 2 bedroom flat houses: $4.8M, $10M, $11M, land $2M. Call: 688-0087,6388484 Melani 2 bedrooms - $10M, Tuschen $11.5M & $25M, Canal #2 (15 acres) -$9M. Call:688-0087,638-8484 House for sale- 2 flat no flooding, 6ft fence, price $21Million negotiable. Call: 233-5400/ 218-0595 Property @ 87E, Albert Street, Alberttown, front lot, size 80X20 price $35Million. Call: 669-8701 One two story property newly renovated. Call: 6771310 We buy land & sell properties, land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm & other places. Call Ravena: 6845822/ 629-2881
Ladies to work in Suriname. Call: +597-875-4660 Land to buy in: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt and La Pafaite Harmonie. Call: 642-1252
CAR RENTAL
One Arc/Acetylene welder/ driver, one live in family, mechanical & structural experienced is an asset. Call: 227-1830
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
VACANCY Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 614-4358
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
Experienced cook (for canteen), porters, bond clerks, snackette attendants, drivers. Apply: Survival, Lot 10 Vlissengen Rd, Kitty.
Looking for small used wooden house. Call:676-8506 CAR RENTAL
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Selling your land or house La Parfaite Harmonie from $500,000-$5M? Call Ravena: 684-5822/629-2881 Urgently: One electrician. Please contact Lawerence: 664-9635 or 644-9084
PEN PAL Male seeking female 25yrs 45yrs for serious relationship. Call: 687-3616
Diesel mechanic, welder/ fabricator, machinist. Have Technical background & atleast 3yrs experience. Apply: Written application @ Technical Services, Eccles Apprentice. Must have Technical Background. Apply with written application @ Technical Services Inc, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site.
VACANCY Painter. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Experienced female Accounts clerk – Maths & English. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street Bourda Cashiers to work at Super bet, 21-22 Hink Street, Georgetown. Call: 625-5322 Washers/presser, hotel attendant, bell boy. Call:2277714/223-3448 Continued on page 61
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Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
Environmental protection and animal rights need to be assimilated in the Guyanese ethos By PAT DIAL Every year in June, World Environmental Day (WED) is commemorated worldwide and wildlife has always featured as an area of concern. Last June, for instance, the focus was on eradicating “The International Illegal Trade in Wildlife”. CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna, is in the forefront of limiting the international trade in those species which are still sustainable. On the other hand, international trade is completely banned on those which are in danger of extinction such as the Jaguar. This concern with limiting the trade in Endangered
Species is driven by the growing realization worldwide that if the biodiversity of the world is destroyed, then life on the Planet would become poorer, if not unsustainable. Nature, despite the vast and innumerable Flora and Fauna of the world, has developed a remarkable balance between them all and if this balance is destroyed or gravely altered, all life forms will be negatively affected, including humans. We very often do not know nor could we really predict how we, as human beings would be affected. A small example illustrating how upsetting the balance of Nature could affect human beings is gleaned from the following story: Some
Crashed cars being... (From page 17) the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and lodged a complaint. “Friday is going to be a month since we visited there. They haven’t gotten back to us and we’re frustrated. At the same time, I don’t want other people to fall victim to these kinds of scams. It’s illegal and people will be robbed” A popular Georgetown auto-dealer told Kaieteur News yesterday that “this has been going on for years”. “Look, to bring in a
crashed vehicle is obviously cheaper that bringing in a reconditioned vehicle. You don’t pay the same duty. So some dealers bring in these crashed cars and they basically put together a car with cheap parts here and sell it.”
Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?
years ago, in New England in the North-eastern United States, the apple orchards were assailed by a plague of troublesome insects. The farmers succeeded in eradicating the insects. Next year, however, the apple crop became very poor and it was only then that the farmers realized that there were no bees and other insects to pollinate the blossoms. Nature, over the millennia, had evolved its own methodologies of maintaining the balance. If for example, certain animals multiplied so fast, predators and other means of control could emerge. In the modern world, with its chemicals which seem to quietly impinge on all, its firearms, its ingenious animal traps, its huge ships and aircraft’s which could quickly move large amount of flora and fauna, its criminals and large modern machines capable of destroying whole forests in a very short time; with these and more, man has been able to upset the balance of nature in an extremely short time as compared with the centuries or even millennia it took in the past, but always resulting in an equilibrium. Modern man’s destruction of the world’s
biodiversity eventually negatively affects himself. The illegal international trade in flora and fauna is an example of man’s selfdestructiveness. Another reason why the illegal international trade in wildlife should be quickly eliminated is that it is destroying the basis of Guyana’s tourist industry. In the Caribbean islands, tourism is based on Sun and Sand while in Guyana it is our varied wildlife, forests and mountains which provide more lucrative attractions than Sun and Sand. If the Illegal Wildlife Trade is not ended, it would affect the means of survival of the Indigenous people and destroy their most valuable economic resource - the basis of a lucrative tourist industry. The Guyanese public, though they may have some idea of the results, of the destruction of the biodiversity and the Balance of Nature, they certainly need to learn more. Unfortunately, the media and the statements of public figures on protection of biodiversity and stamping out the illegal wildlife trade treat these issues as if they were concerns of government and State only and do not
affect the lives of ordinary folk. Ordinary Folk, as individuals, need to be more involved. How could we have a successful program? In the first place, the legislation has to be strengthened and particularly, in respect of the mining and forest industries such as lumbering. The legislation must also protect the environment in general and the habitat of endangered species as well as the hunting and farming areas of the Indigenous people.
Just as important, the Education System should be oriented to socialize children about the importance of Environmental Protection and to love and respect animals. In the 19th century, European countries did this, and it was a great civilizing force. The three national religions of Guyana, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, all teach respect for man, animals, and environment and such teaching should be brought to the fore.
From page 22
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
TO LET 4 AC Rooms/2 large hall with 1 extra room, suitable for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. Campbellville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350 Furnished 1 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available. For further information – Call: 619-4824; 233-5560
LAND FOR SALE Transported land for sale size 37X270 @ Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D. Call: 650-5644/677-9938 La Parfaite Harmonie- $1.6M, $1.2M, $1.4M, Tuschen Phase II - $1.4M, Herstelling -$3.5M, Uitvlugt - $2M. Call: 604-6724 or 673-6300
Journey Inn apartments: 1,2 & 3 bedrooms with AC and Kitchen. Call: 233-2300/ 7182301695 Fully furnished air-condition apartments, refrigerator, television, queen size bed and microwave etc. - $65,000 monthly. Call: 694-7817/ 6680306
La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.8M, $1.2M, $1.1M, Tuschen Phase II $1.3M, Uitvulgt $2M, V/Hoop - $27M. Call: 666-2326
Furnished apartments April, 22 2017- April 29 2017. 318 East St, North C/Burg between Middle + New Market. Call: 653-0490/ 6414614/ 226-3199
21 Acres land for housing, alongside Linden Highway, average distance from Soesdyke -$20Million. Call: 692-8216
3 Bedrooms fully furnished upper flat size 38X40ft $160,000 monthly. Call: 6445151
Eccles - $5M, Farm $3M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M, Bartica - $3M, Cuyuni Mining Block - $2.5M. Call: 658-5897; 651-1969 Tuschen Phase 2 - $1.4M, Uitvlugt -$2.5M with fence, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.5M. Call: 642-1252 East ½ 84 David Street, back lot for sale- Contact: 84davidstreet@gmail.com
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Kaieteur News
$77M overhead pedestrian crossing for Diamond - Works on three others to commence shortly A contract for the sum of US$364,727 (approx. GYD$77M) has been awarded to contractor, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services to construct an overhead pedestrian crossing at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Works are expected to commence shortly. Last year, the Government made known its intention to construct three overhead pedestrian walkways along the East Bank of Demerara. This was divulged by the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David
Patterson, during an event held at Agricola in May 2016. Patterson had noted that it was important to look at ways to diagnose the urban transport situation in Guyana, adding that the Government is aware of the problems and trends. “The Government of
Guyana believes that it is high time that we deal with matters of public transport infrastructure, operations, financing, and institutional organization.” Diamond is now the fourth community to benefit from an overhead pedestrian crossing. Earlier this month, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, announced the award of contracts for the construction of overhead crossings at Houston, Peter’s Hall and at Eccles. The contract was awarded to B&J Civil Works in the sum of US$1,034,326 (approx. $207 million) Harmon had reported. A source from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure told Kaieteur News yesterday that the construction of these crossing will also commence shortly. The contractor is about to begin mobilizing, the source said. These sites were chosen following studies which
showed that these three areas have the most pedestrian movement. It is expected, also, that these structures will significantly reduce accidents, save on travel time for commuters that reside along the eastern bank and also, precipitate a free flow of traffic at the sites. Meanwhile, the construction of a vehicular overpass at the entrance to the Diamond Housing Scheme is still in the pipeline. The source told Kaieteur News that tenders have already been opened for the construction of the structure at the intersection of Diamond and the East Bank Demerara Public Road. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure was listed as the procuring entity. The engineer’s estimate was announced at US$4.7M. With more than 10,000 vehicles entering the country every year, traffic congestion on key arteries leading to Georgetown continues to be a major bugbear. This congestion has been contributing heavily to
delays for workers at peak travel times – in the morning, between 07:00hrs and 09:00hrs, and evening – from 16:00hrs to 18:30hrs. The East Bank Demerara road is among the busiest in the country, providing linkages to not only the villages along the way, but also to the Demerara Harbour Bridge which leads to the West Demerara and Essequibo; to Linden, and by extension to the hinterland. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the country’s main port, is located at Timehri, further compounding the situation. Over the years, there has been talk of several projects to reduce the traffic situation, including new roads, shifting bus parks and even better parking. The construction of these overhead pedestrian crossings was viewed as a measure taken by the Government following concern over the number of fatalities being recorded annually. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, at a recent road conference hosted in Georgetown, noted that someone dies on our roadways every two and a half days. Presently, Guyana is experiencing a 10 percent decline in road fatalities when compared to the same period last year.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Top U.S. officials to testify in Trump-Russia probe reboot Reuters - The U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said on Friday it had invited FBI, NSA and Obama administration officials to testify as it restarts its investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. After stalling over the committee chairman’s ties to President Donald Trump’s White House and disagreements over who should testify, the bipartisan committee said it sent a letter inviting James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Admiral Mike Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, to appear behind closed doors on May 2. A second letter invited three officials who left the government as President Barack Obama’s administration ended - former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates - to appear at a public hearing to be scheduled after May 2. The planned hearings are the first the committee has announced since its chairman, Republican Representative Devin Nunes, recused himself from the Russia in-
Mike Rogers
James Comey
vestigation on April 6 after receiving information at the White House about surveillance that swept up some information about members of Trump’s transition team. Echoing Trump, Nunes suggested that Obama’s administration had handled that information incorrectly. Nunes remains the committee’s chairman. Comey and Rogers testified in a public hearing on March 20. At that hearing, Comey confirmed for the first time that the FBI was investigating possible ties between Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia as Moscow sought to influence the election. Nunes was a supporter of Trump’s campaign and a member of his transition team.
His decision two days after the public hearing to hold a press conference about the information and discuss it with Trump before disclosing it to Democrats raised questions about whether he could lead a credible investigation. Committee Democrats also were angered when Nunes scrapped a scheduled public hearing with Brennan, Yates and Clapper. A planned closed hearing with Comey and Rogers also was put off. The House panel is examining whether Russia tried to influence the election in Trump’s favour, mostly by hacking Democratic operatives’ emails and releasing embarrassing information, or possibly by colluding with Trump associates.
Trump warming to EU trade deal with Britain behind in queue: Times Reuters - The United States could strike a free-trade agreement with the European Union after President Donald Trump warmed to a deal with the bloc, the Times reported yesterday, quoting sources from both sides of the discussion. Post-Brexit Britain would be pushed behind Europe in the race to sec u r e a U . S . deal after Germany’s Angela Merkel persuaded Trump that talks on a deal would be simpler than he thought, the newspaper said. Britain will not be free to agree new trade deals until it has left the EU in 2019. A source close to the White House was quoted as saying that there had been a “realisation” in the Trump administration that a trade deal with the EU - allowing the tariff-free exchange of goods and services - was more important to U.S. interests than a post-Brexit deal with Britain. “Ten times Trump asked her (Merkel) if he could negotiate a trade deal with Germany,” the newspaper quoted
a senior German politician as saying. “Every time she replied, ‘You can’t do a trade deal with Germany, only the EU’,” the politician said. “On the eleventh refusal, Trump finally got the mes-
sage, ‘Oh, we’ll do a deal with Europe then.’” Trump, who has repeatedly criticised the EU, had welcomed Britain’s 2016 vote to leave the bloc and said he would work hard to get a quick bilateral trade deal done.
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Authorities order Shell Beach closed over floods, erosion Authorities have ordered Shell Beach closed because of flooding and heavy coastal erosion.
Authorities have ordered the Shell Beach Protected Area closed due to major floods in recent months. The Region One area is fiercely protected by conservationists but in recent times has been fighting erosion. This past week, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) in a letter to Indranath Haralsingh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Association (GTA) did not specify when the area would be opened again. “The Protected Areas Commission regrets to inform you that Shell Beach Protected Area is currently closed to all tourism activity until further notice. PAC commissioner (ag), Denise Fraser, disclosed that there is severe ongoing coastal erosion and instances of flooding, threatening the guest house at Almond Beach. “Efforts are being made to acquire funding to relocate and secure the guest house and you will be informed as soon as it is re-opened for tourism.” Earlier this year, Aubrey James, Warden of the protected area, described the flooding as one of worst in years for the area. Shell Beach, located on the Atlantic coast of Guyana in the Barima-Waini region,
Flooding in the Shell Beach area earlier this year. near the Venezuelan border, is a popular nesting site for four of the eight sea turtle species and was named as a protected area. Shell Beach extends for approximately 145 km. However, it appears that times are changing and several families, who reside in the area, were forced to move elsewhere in recent years. According to James, about nine of the 40 families had remained in the beach area, assisting with conserva-
tion work, among other things. ”This flooding is one of the worst in years. Families are seriously thinking about moving to safer ground.” Turtles used to be slaughtered for their meat and eggs but are now part of a nongovernmental conservation programme called the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS), founded by recognized conservationist Dr. Peter Pritchard and Romeo De Freitas.
Entire govt. intensifies scrutiny for top... From page 11 Andrea Seelochan, and Legal/Compliance Officer, Suzanne Bullen. According to the letter to Ramotar, the police have commenced an investigation into allegations of money laundering and suspected involvement of staff members of GGB. The ministry said it is giving the police its full support and cooperation. “On April 19, 2017, I received a request from the Guyana Police Force for further investigation to ensue
and for several Gold Board officers, including you, to be sent on leave to facilitate the conduct of the investigation,” the letter from the minister said. “In the circumstance it has therefore been decided to send you on Administrative leave, with immediate effect, to allow the police to complete their investigation. Further, you are expected to continue to cooperate with the investigating ranks in the conduct of the investigation.” Ramotar was also told that on the completion of the
investigation, she will be advised further. The troubles at the GGB came to the fore earlier this month when news broke that Bartica gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, was arrested in a $950M fraud at the Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry. The alleged fraud saw police later charging Rasul with several counts. He appeared in court and is now on $3M bail. Former Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang, is the special prosecutor in this matter.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
New agreement between Trinidad and US will improve border security PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The governments of Trinidad and Tobago and the United States on Friday signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) that will provide for the establishment of a state-of-the-art border control system that documents the arrival and departure of international travelers at airports and seaports in Trinidad and Tobago. This system, called the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), will strengthen the security of Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and all other partner countries by increasing the ability of the Immigration Division to document travelers’ identity. Using the latest technology, PISCES will give the government the capacity to verify a traveler’s identity against both domestic and international databases. The system will also allow officials to identify individuals who might pose a threat to public security.
Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon (R) and US Charge d’Affaires John MyIntyre with the Memorandum of Intent on the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) PISCES will support the government of Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to improve border security and ensure the safety of its citizens. The system will be owned and operated by the government of Trinidad
and Tobago. All of the data collected will belong to the government of Trinidad and Tobago, and any sharing of that information will take place subject to privacy safeguards established by the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.
Dominica denies selling blank passports ROSEAU, Dominica — The ministry of justice, immigration and national security in Dominica has denied published allegations that up to 10,000 blank Dominican passports were supplied to Moroccan amb a s s a d o r, Mohamed Benjilany, during one or more visits to the Caribbean island in 2016. According to the ministry, Dominica’s passport was designed and developed by Canadian Bank Note (CBN), a Canadian
company that specializes in the security of paper and documents, including passports, identification cards and drivers licences. CBN has a long history of reliability and security and are utilized by many countries in the region and in the world. Dominica moved from hand written passports to machine readable passports (MRPs) in keeping with the travel security protocols that the jurisdiction signed on to with the In-
ternational Civil Aviation Authority. Blank machine readable regular passport books are ordered by the ministry from CBN. On arrival they are cleared from Customs and stored in a storeroom at the Police Headquarters. No one person can access and/or remove blank passport books from that secure storeroom. Official and diplomatic passports are similarly ordered and stored. (Caribbean News)
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Taylor’s unbeaten 60 keep visitors... Rising Sun horserace meet (From page 69) restricted the scoring and only 48 runs were conceded in the 120-minute pre-Lunch session on a good track and fast outfield as the bowlers kept the shackles on the batsmen. Hughes, who scored the most of his 10 First-Class centuries in English County Championship, was 10 short of his 20 fifty at this level when he gloved a hook at Berbician Pestano, who was willing to bang the ball in short, to be taken by Keeper Anthony Bramble. His 40 came from 105 balls, 135 minutes with five fours and two sixes before Keacy Carty (10) and Hodge took the score to 110-1 by Lunch in a session which produced a battle of attrition as Guyana fought back into the contest. After Lunch, Carty, the elegant West Indies U-19 batsman from St Martin, was caught behind off Reifer for 10 at 115-2 before the left-arm
pacer from Barbados, the consistent contributor to the Jaguars set-up since he was bought, struck 10 runs later when Akeem Saunders (4) clipped a ball to Keemo Paul at short mid-wicket. Hodge reached his 17th fifty from 174 balls and 190 minutes with eight fours, before he played an immaculately executed on-drive off Pestano which was out of the top drawer and arguable the shot of the day. Reifer then stuck a telling blow when he got rid of Hodge, 30 short of consecutive centuries against Guyana, at 126-4. Skipper Rakeem Cornwall (0) played over a ball which dipped and was bowled and Sherwin Peters (5) worked a short ball to short mid-wicket as Jacobs struck twice to leave the Leewards in precarious position at 140-6, still 47 away from the Jaguars’ total. Taylor and Hamilton took their team to 187-6 by Tea and after the break Hamilton was the aggressor and Taylor
played the supporting role as a frustrating partnership was developing on the easy paced track. But just after the 200 was posted Hamilton edged Reifer to Bramble at 211-7 after facing 80 balls in his 116-minute innings which included a couple of fours. Taylor soon reached his third fifty from 104 balls in 124 minutes with eight fours and a six and together with Louis, whose confidence increased as his innings progressed, looked untroubled and even ‘upped’ the run rate with positive batting as for the umpteen time during this tournament, the opposition’s tail wagged even when the pacers took the new ball as they did yesterday. Today Guyana will need to pick up three quick wickets and hope for a marked improvement with the bat in their second innings as they want to increase their unbeaten streak to eight matches tomorrow.
Sunday April 23, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This will not be the day to have minor surgery. You will take on too much if you aren't careful. Stick to basics. Take care that arrangements to spend quality time together are made in advance. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Concentrate on your career and on making money. Don't make any drastic changes or begin new projects today. Rethink your motives and make the necessary changes to yourself. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't overspend on entertainment, on children, or make poor investments. You can make financial gains through your unique and creative approach to business. Minor health problems may lower your vitality. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't tell others of your plans. You may find that you are a little lucky today. Romance could develop through social activities or short trips. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't let friends convince you that you should contribute to something you don't believe in. Don't take offense at comments made by coworkers. Be prepared to overcome frustrations and obstacles at work.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will learn a great deal from the foreigners you meet. You may have a problem dealing with elders. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't let your personal partner hold you back. Relatives may play an important role in your personal life. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Involve yourself in group endeavors. You will make new friends through physical activities. Any difficulties with peers could be unnerving. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Try not to jump to conclusions. Deal with the needs of children and get into groups that deal with self awareness. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't settle for less than the best. Be tactful if you see flaws in someone else's work. Be careful not to sign your time or your cash away. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Take your time; do not make any decisions in haste. Go out with friends or family. You must use discretion when talking to others. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Limitations will set in if you haven't followed the rules. Sudden changes regarding your domestic scene are probable. This day was meant for love.
set for Sunday 7th May
Banks DIH Trophy Stall, Shariff and Jumbo among major sponsors After a few disappointments and postponements due to the inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances, the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, is set to taste it first horserace meet for 2017. The event which is dubbed “the grand one day of Photo Finish” is organised by the Rising Sun Turf Club and friends of Rising Sun and set for Sunday May 7. The event has seven races listed on the day’s card with over $6M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for the takings. This race meet is expected to be a special one for many reasons, especially since the start of the year there has
been a number of different winners coming to the fore. This event is expected to provide some answers and with all the races being 1400M, the event has been classified as a sprint classic. Banks DIH Limited along with Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and the Jumbo Jet Business entity has so far come forward as major sponsors. Reports are that Banks DIH, the pacesetters, will once again take charge of the Feature event, which this time will be for animals classified D3 and lower for a winning take of $800,000 and trophy over 1400M which incidentally is the distance of all of the races. The other events listed on the day are - The event for G1 and E3 non earners for the last
six months which as a winning take of $400,000 and trophy. The race for H3 and lower horses has a top prize of $350,000 and trophy. The race for three years and I and lower animals will be contested for a winning purse of $250,000 and trophy. The J2 and K and lower event will see the animals racing for a winner’s take of $200,000 and trophy. The L and lower animals will be galloping for a bounty of $175,000 and trophy. There is also a race for cow and cart horses for a winner’s tale of $100,000 and trophy. Interested person can contact Fazal Habibulla on Telephone No 232-0232 or 657 7010, Race time is 12:30 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Togetherness Park offering another... (From page 70) groups or organisations, but for all and I’m appealing to persons and organisations interested in renting the facility to make contact with us on tele# 673-8829 for more information,” Black said. Apart from having the capability to stage sporting events, he said the facility will soon be offering families and organisations the opportunity to enjoy a breezy and relaxing atmosphere under the numerous tents and soon to be installed pools, especially for the enjoyment of the kids. With the Atlantic Ocean situated on the northern side of the Park, it provides a scenic view of the huge body of water and bountiful breeze to relax the mind and body, making the location an ideal getaway for families and organisations located
outside the City. Kaieteur Sport was afforded a firsthand opportunity to view the Park on Easter Monday and the colorful atmosphere
and intermingling that was observed makes the Park an attractive choice for Fun Days, sports or just a day for the family to unwind.
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Full University of Guyana scholarships for CARIFTA Games team As if the police escort from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after their arrival in Guyana and courtesy call on His
Excellency, President David Granger at State House on Friday was not enough, the CARIFTA Games team will also benefit from full
scholarships to attend the University of Guyana. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones made the announcement Friday night
-Director of Sport discloses at National Award Ceremony at the National Sports Commission (NSC) Award
Ceremony and Dinner at the Pegasus Hotel. The announcement came in the midst of his remarks to an audience of Ministers of Government, Government Officials, members of the diplomatic community, athletes and representative of sport associations. Such an initiative had never been undertaken before for local athletes. “At this time, I wish to acknowledge and welcome team Guyana, who would have performed outstandingly at the C A R I F TA G a m e s i n Curacao. As a result of their academic and sport achievements, there will be incentives in recognition of s a m e a s a n encouragement,” Jones had said before the historic announcement. And why not? After all it has been a historic week for t h e C A R I F TA t e a m . Compton Caesar became the first Guyanese sprinter to win a 100m gold medal at the Games. He also had a 200m bronze medal for two of the eight medals Guyana brought home. In all, Guyana collected
four gold, one silver and three bronze medals from Natricia Hooper, Chantoba Bright, Anfernee Headecker, Claudrice McKoy and Caesar. Guyana sent 12 athletes to the Games. Each of the 12 athletes will benefit from the scholarships. “I now ask team Guyana to stand. Because of your demonstrated dedication and achievements, the National Sports Commission has provided full scholarships to all of you to attend the University of Guyana,” the Director of Sport announced to rapturous applause from the packed Savannah Suite. Following their arrival in Guyana, motorcade and presentation of memorabilia from President David Granger at State House, the CARIFTA team had been guests of the Pegasus Hotel where they stayed until yesterday. Jones also announced that all winners from the Ceremony would be guests of Arrowpoint Resort for one day. The largesse for local athletes is a positive shift in sports culture and recognition for Guyanese athletes.
Christian to lead E’bo in GCB inter county U-17 tourney Following two trials matches that were held at Imam Bacchus ground, Affiance, Kevin Christian was chosen to lead Essequibo in the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board inter county U-17 50-over tournament slated to commence on Tuesday. Orlando Jailall will serve as his deputy, while the rest of the squad reads Reyaz Khan, Saeed Hakh, Badesh Parsotam, Lance Roberts, Leon Swami, Mark Rankin, Dovendra Mohan, Mahase Ramnarine, Romario Stephen, David Chalitar, Azeem Mohamed and Hamel Lam. Jailall XI beat Christian XI by one wicket in the first game played on Wednesday. Batting first Christian XI scored 135 all out in 37.4 overs. Mahase Ramnarine got 20 and Leon Swami 14. Reyaz Khan grabbed 4-26 and Badesh Parsotam 3-17. Jailall XI responded with 136-9 in 29 overs. Jailall made 40 and Alvin Mohamed 32. Saeed Hakh bagged 5-24. In the second game played on Thursday, Swami XI overcame Bhumeshwar
Ramkissoon XI by 76 runs. Swami XI took first strike and posted 250 all out in 46 overs. Christian struck 59, while Rovindra Mustapha 49 and Lance Roberts 25. Salman Mustapha claimed 4-34. Set a revised target of 175 in 25 overs, Ramkissoon XI were limited to 99-7. Timal Jaikarran made 21 and Samuel Lam 16; Swami had 2-17 and Roberts 2-19. The Essequibo team then defeated an Essequibo Select XI by 49 runs on Friday at the said venue. The Essequibo team took first strike and made 190 all out in 30 overs. Christian stroked 55, Jailall 25, Rovendra Mohan 23 and Hamel Lam 22. Essequibo Select XI were bowled out for 149 in reply. Parmesh Persaud hit 43 and Punraj Singh got 28. Roberts captured 4-14 and Swami 2-20. Meanwhile, the ECB has extended congratulations to Anthony Adams on his selection to the Guyana Jaguars team for their last round game against Leeward Islands Hurricanes which is currently underway at Providence.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Holder fifty only spark amidst gloom KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Captain Jason Holder struck his fifth Test half-century but only 69 balls were possible as rain wrecked the second day of the opening Test between West Indies and Pakistan here yesterday. When heavy rain brought an abrupt end to the already truncated day’s play at 3:05 pm (4:05 Eastern Caribbean time) after just 55 minutes of action, West Indies had reached 278 for nine, with Holder unbeaten on 55. He had so far faced 69
deliveries and struck seven fours and two sixes. Wet spots in the outfield and on the bowlers run-up had earlier forced the abandonment of the opening session, pushing back the start to an hourand-a-half following the scheduled lunch break at Sabina Park. Resuming on 244 for s e v e n , We s t I n d i e s flourished early as overnight batsmen Holder and Devendra Bishoo extended their eighth wicket stand to 75 – a record against
Alzarri Joseph was bowled by a beauty from Mohammad Amir, 1st Test, Jamaica, 2nd day, © AFP
Pakistan – before being separated. On 23 at the start, Bishoo had added five when he lost his discipline, fished at one from impressive left-arm seamer Mohammed Amir and nicked a catch behind in the eighth over of the session with the Windies on 264 for eight. Amir, Pakistan’s best bowler with five for 41, then struck again in his next over, removing Alzarri Joseph without scoring after breaching the right-hander’s defence and hitting middle
and off. Holder, resuming from 30, got lucky with a couple of streaky fours to third man to move into the 40s but there was no lack of
conviction when he lifted seamer Mohammad Abbas for a beautiful straight six to reach his landmark, 40 minutes after the start. There was enough time
for Shannon Gabriel, u n b e a t e n o n f o u r, t o bludgeon Amir through midoff to the boundary before the heavens opened a few balls later.
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
GFF launches groundbreaking national training camp schedule The Guyana Football Federation is delivering an intensive range of national
team training camps for youth and senior, male and female teams in April and
May, as the Technical Department works to bring elite players up to speed with
the new national playing philosophy in preparation for upcoming competitions, a release from the federation informed. One of the highlights of the schedule is the selection of Guyana’s first under-13 boys’ squad, which has been made possible thanks to the s u c c e s s o f t h e n e w, nationwide GFF-Scotiabank A c a d e m y Tr a i n i n g Centres that have created a system for scouting and coaching talented youth players from all nine regional member associations this year. Over the coming month, the GFF will host national training camps for U13 boys, U15 boys, and U17 girls – in line with age groups covered by the elite Academy Training Centre programme – as well as camps for the Lady Jaguars and locally-based Golden Jaguars.
“We believe this is the most complete and intensive training camp schedule the GFF has ever put together for its national teams,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood. “This is an example of the way the new administration wants to operate: bringing our national set-up into line with best international practice and ensuring that our national teams are fully engaged in a professional, methodical structure. The GFF is committed to giving our best players, both male and female in every age group, the training and guidance they need to reach their potential as individuals and to succeed as squads at international level.” “Too often in the past, Guyana’s national teams have been starved of the training they need to compete with betterprepared regional rivals. We
are making this kind of training a top priority so that Guyana can make a statement at every level on the field of play.” The GFF has also selected former and current national team players to participate in the coaching of the national squads, including Akilah Castello, Tricia Munroe, Charles Pollard, Anthony Benfield and Bryan Joseph. “It’s crucial that we involve current and former stars of the game in all of our coaching programmes, whether as part of the Academy Training Centres or within the national team structures,” said Greenwood. “This system will help us to inspire the current generation with the wisdom of previous elite players, as well as creating a clear pathway for players to aim for as they look beyond their careers on the pitch.” Golden Jaguars Vurlon Mills, Andrew Durant and Eon Alleyne are among some of the national team stars to get involved with coaching boys and girls at the Academy Training Centres in recent weeks. The camps will prepare the U15 boys’ team for a tournament in Saint-Martin in June and a CONCACAF tournament in August, the U17 girls’ team for a CFU tournament in August, and the Lady Jags for the CFU Caribbean Cup in May.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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DSSC inter club swim meet commences The annual Dolphin Speed Swim Club (DSSC) inter club meet commenced yesterday with a colourful opening ceremony at the National Aquatic Centre Liliendaal. The host club, Silver Shark, Berbice, Orca, Sea Otters and Dorado Swim clubs are slated to compete in the event which will conclude today.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of Sports Christopher Jones congratulated Dolphin Speed Swim Club for hosting yet another meet which he said has grown from strength to strength. Jones lauded the parents for showing the type of interest in their children adding that for athletes to be successful they must get involved in the
sport at a very tender age. Jones said that this competition provides an opportunity for the youths to showcase their skills and the NSC is always willing to lend support. Jones spoke about the success of the CARIFTA Games athletes and stated that some of these athletes are part of the NSC/AAG elite squad which was
Director of Sport Christopher Jones (center), GASA head Ivan Persaud and Dolphin SSC Paul Mahaica acknowledge the march past.
Digicel Regional First-Class cricket
Taylor’s unbeaten 60 keep visitors ahead despite impressive Reifer’s 4-47
Monchin Hodge followed up his 114 the last time these teams met with a defiant 70 at Providence yesterday. (Photos by Sean Devers) By Sean Devers A late afternoon unfinished 44-run partnership between Jacques Taylor (60) and Jerimiah Louis (30) kept the Leewards Volcanoes just ahead against the Guyana Jaguars who fought back well in the first two sessions of the second day of their final round Digicel Regional First-Class match at Providence yesterday. Taylor, who also put together 71 for the seventh wicket with Jahmar Hamilton (32), has so far batted 163 minutes, faced 129 balls, reached the boundary nines and cleared it once off of Steven Jacobs,
while Louis’ 20 has lasted 78 minutes, 70 balls and included two fours and a six off of pacer Clinton Pestano after Monchin Hodge had made a responsible 70 from 224 balls, 243 minutes with 12 fours at the top of the order. By the close the Leewards were 255-7 enjoying a lead of 68 runs g o i n g i n t o t o d a y ’s penultimate day. Left-arm Bajan seamer Raymon Reifer again showed why he is now regarded as Guyana’s best all-rounder with another impressive performance finishing the day with 4-47. Off spinner Steven Jacobs supported with 2-52. Veerasammy Permaul and
debutant Anthony Adams, both left arm spinners, bowled too flat and went wicket-less. On another day of sweltering heat and empty stands the Leewards, the only team to defeat Guyana in their last 28 games, began the day in a strong position to push for consecutive wins against the South American team with their score 62-0 in reply to the Jaguars’ 187 all out. However, while they only lost the wicket of Chesney Hughes after he and fellow Anguillan Hodge had added 79 for the first wicket, steady if not penetrating bowling by the Jaguars (Continued on page 65)
formed following the national schools championships in 2016 and as a result have been awarded scholarships to the University of Guyana. He related that NSC
will continue to monitor the athletes and encouraged GASA to follow suit so that swimmers can also benefit. President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming
Association Ivan Persaud urged the swimmers to remain committed to the sport. He stated that he is happy that the club can host such a meet and urged other clubs to do likewise.
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Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Johnson, Doris are joint Sportsmen, Thompson is Sportswoman of the Year -Sports Commission hosts glitzy National Award Ceremony
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry (left) presents the joint ‘Sportsman of the Year’ Award to one of the recipients, Leon Johnson Friday night at the Pegasus Hotel. The other winner was US-based Troy Doris. Guyana and West Indies cricketer, Leon Johnson and Olympic triple jump finalist and double Diamond League silver medalist, Troy Doris were adjudged joint ‘Sportsman of the Year’ while sprinter, Brenessa Thompson was named ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ Friday night when the National Sports Commission (NSC) hosted its Award Ceremony and Dinner in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel. With radio personality Gordon Moseley as Master of Ceremonies, the
nominees of the various categories, representatives of sports associations, stakeholders and special invitees descended at the venue for what turned into a glitzy evening of fashion, sports and entertainment. The occasion was to recognise the outstanding performances and contributions for the past year. For his prolific scoring last year and leadership of the Guyana Jaguars Cricket Team, Johnson along with Doris, who leaped into history at the Olympic
Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (left) presents the ‘Junior Sportswoman of the Year’ Award to jumper, Chantoba Bright at the Pegasus Hotel Friday night. Games with his seventh place finish were inseparable among the nominees for ‘Sportsman of the Year’. Thompson also sprinted her way to the national accolade after performances last year that established national 100m and 200m records and an Olympic qualification time. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry was quick to point out the regard Government has for its athletes. Henry, who has responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, was the
featured speaker at the Ceremony. “This awards ceremony represents the country’s high regard for the entire sports community. It also indicates the Government’s total commitment to the promotion and development of sport and recreation among all Guyanese,” Henry told her audience, which included Minister of Legal Affairs, Attorney General, Basil Williams, S.C, Advisor to the Minister of Education, Vi n c e n t A l e x a n d e r, members of the diplomatic community, Director of
Togetherness Park offering another choice to host sports A photo of the Togetherness Park which is located at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
In an effort to provide more sporting and recreational facilities, Togetherness Park owned and operated by East International Enterprise is offering Organisers and Promoters the Liliendaal location to stage softball cricket competitions, football or any other field
discipline. The spacious facility located a short distance from the Ocean View Hotel on the southern side of the Highway can comfortably a c c o m m o d a t e a l a rg e quantity of vehicles and also house over one thousand spectators at any given time. According to Manager
Leslie Black, the facility is ideally located minutes away from central Georgetown, adding that among the other conveniences is the easy access to transportation in the absence of personal transport. Pointing to the recent Easter Holiday as a
reference, Black informed that the name was conceived due to the overwhelming support he received from all ethnic groups and organisations, adding that he is determined to offer the venue to all and sundry. “This facility is not reserved for selective ethnic (Continued on page 65)
Kaysan Ninvalle receives his award from Minister Nicolette Henry, while his proud father, Steve, who is President of the boxing association that was awarded, shares the moment. Sport, Christopher Jones among members of the Sports Commission. “Tonight, we recognise and pay tribute to our talented sportsmen and women for being highly motivated, highly skilled and well-trained. I have to say also that your achievements could not have been possible without the selfless input and dedication from your trainers, Coaches, associations, federations and other stakeholders, who would have played a crucial part in some way or the other,” Henry observed. The minister thanked all the sportsmen and women for representing Guyana to the best of their abilities and for making all Guyanese proud. She called athletes “heroes”, who brought glory to the nation and who have set an example worthy of emulation. In this regard, she singled out the successful CARIFTA Games team that was present at the Ceremony. A member of that team, Chantoba Bright was awarded ‘Junior Sportswoman of the Year’ for her double silver medal performance at the 2016 CARIFTA Games. Bright won a gold and a bronze medal at the just-concluded 2017 Games in Curacao. Table Tennis player, Kaysan Ninvalle was awarded ‘Junior Sportsman of the Year’ for gaining Guyana’s lone gold medal at t h e C a r i b b e a n Championships last year among other performances deemed outstanding. At age 11-years, Ninvalle may go down as the youngest to have achieved the Junior Award. Boxing Coach, Sebert Blake was named ‘Male
Coach of the Year’, while Basketball Coach, Ann Gordon was identified as ‘Female Coach of the Year’. Lavern Fraser was handed ‘Female Sports Personality of the Year’ for her work as S p o r t s O ff i c e r a t t h e University of Guyana, while Kevon Bess took home the male award for his work in Bodybuilding. Cricketer, Kevin Douglas won the Sportsman of the Year for Persons with Disability, while Leona Kyte was adjudged ‘Female Sports Official of the Year’. Guyana’s Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) was awarded ‘Most Improved Association/Federation of the Year’; Guyana’s Under16 Male National Basketball Team took home the ‘Sports Team of the Year’ prize for reaching the Final of the Caribbean Championships last year and qualifying for the Central American Championships. Guyana Chronicle’s, Tamica Garnett won the ‘Sports Journalist of the Year (Print)’ award, while National Communications Network, Travis Seymour took home the non-print ‘Sports Journalist of the Ye a r ’ . E - N e t w o r k s N e w s r o o m ’s , Tr e i s t o n Joseph was given the ‘Sports Journalist of the Year (online)’ prize, and Capital News and ESN, Esan Griffith got the ‘Sports Photographer of the Year’ award. Digicel Guyana Inc. took home the award for ‘Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Large Company)’, while P&P Insurance won the ‘Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Small Company)’ prize.
Sunday April 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
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GBBC ‘Locked and Loaded’ slugfest
Defending champs Team 25 Fiery action envisaged as fighters open against South Stars set Giftland Shopping Mall alight
Edmond DeClou and Winston Pompey square off at yesterday’s weigh in.
Action in last year’s Linden segment of the tournament . Team 25 will open up the defence of their title when they face South Stars tonight as play in the Linden segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ C o m p e t i t i o n commences with eight m a t c h e s a t t h e Mackenzie Market Park. The tournament, which will be played at three venues namely Mackenzie Market Park, Silver City Hardcourt and Amelia’s Ward Hardcourt, will see thirty-two teams vie for championship honours over six days with the winners set to receive $400,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth
placed finishers collect $150,000, $75,000 and $50,000 respectively. The other matches scheduled to be played are High Rollers versus Silvertown All Stars; Dream Chasers vs. Speightland; Jermaine’s and Family Silver Bullets vs. High Stars; Hig h L i f e C r e w v s . Eagles; Amelia’s Ward Russians vs. Constab; Main Street Panthers vs. Unknowns and Dave and Celina All-Star vs. Ripping Bullets. Meanwhile, the teams that have registered are: Magic Stars, Swag Entertainment, Constab, Goal Getters, Main Street
By Michael Benjamin Panthers, Good Fellas, Unknowns, Araima Colo Colo, Team 25, Future Stars, South Stars, Hard Knocks, Mile Stars, Cherokee Park, Coomacka, High Rollers, Amazings, Silvertown AllStars, Bourda All-Stars, Dream Chasers, Dave & Celina All-Stars, Speightland, Ripping Bullets, Jermaine’s and Family Silver Bullets, Attackers, High Stars, High Life Crew, Running Guns, Eagles, Trainline Warriors and Russians. Action in the tournament resumes on Tuesday, at the same venue, while on Thursday, play swings to the Silver City Hardcourt.
Regional Women’s Super50 roundup – 2nd round KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Results of matches in the second round of the Women’s Regional Super50 here yesterday wins for the Windwards, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. In Scores from the matches: At Park Hill: Windwards won by 75 runs. W I N D W A R D ISLANDS 179 all out off 41.1 overs (Cordel Jack 37,
Afy Fletcher 29; Shawnisha Hector 3-29, Rozel Liburd 3-39). LEEWARD ISLANDS 104 off 36.2 overs (Amanda Edwards 21; Quiana Joseph 4-35, Afy Fletcher 3-23). At Sion Hill: Trinidad and Tobago won by six wickets. GUYANA 83 all out off 42.4 overs (Caniesha Isaac 4-22, Anisa Mohammed 315).
T R I N I D A D & TOBAGO 84 for four off 29.3 overs (Merissa Aguilleira 30 not out; Subrina Munroe 2-17, Erva Giddings 2-25). A t A r n o s Va l e : Barbados won by seven wickets. JAMAICA 87 all out off 34.1 overs (Deandra Dottin 4-24). BARBADOS 89 for three off 23.3 overs (Hayley Matthews 56 not out).
Demerara U-17 named The following players have been chosen to represent Demerara the upcoming GCB inter county U-17 tournament set to start on Tuesday. The players are asked to report at the GCC Bourda for 13:00hrs
tomorrow. The squad reads; Sachin Singh Rajendra Singh, Andrew Samaroo, Alphius Bookie, Kevin Christian, Aunsuega Rodrigues, Adrian Hinds, Robin Williams, Qumar
Torrington, Elion Whyte, Ashmead Nedd, Kerter mc Alister, Hemnauth Dindyal, Pradesh Balkishun. Stand bys; Dequen Bamfield, Jeremiah Scott, Dexroy H y m o n a n d Ye u d i s t i r Persaud.
The Giftland Shopping Mall, Liliendaal ECD, will be transformed into a hive blazing fist tonight when several top local boxers square off for honours in the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) slugfest dubbed ‘Locked and Loaded‘ and fans are assured of an action packed, funfilled night of fistic fury. For the first time in local boxing history boxing buffs will be able to enjoy true fistic fury as several top MMA fighters will also take to the ‘square jungle’ to show off their wares. Trinidadian, Martin Joseph will match skills with Emerson Hurley (BDS) in the light/heavyweight division and both fighters enter the ring with quite a reputation. Joseph operates out of the Real Sport Fight Club in Trinidad and Tobago and has compiled a decent domestic Championships Record. He is also the National Sambo Champion, a title he has successfully defended since 2012. A compact fighter of impressive physique, Joseph was also the 2010 National Kickboxing Champion and the 2012 National Grappling Champion. He is currently ranked 8th at SAMBO Casablanca African World Championship. Guyanese are urged to come out with miniature flags in support of their countryman, Lawrence Hearwood, who tackles Keron Bourne in a light/heavyweight matchup. Those are the two professional MMA Bouts that will be supported by 5 amateur encounters i n c l u d i n g t h e
light/heavyweight bout between Lashawn Sladden (TRI) and Kwanza Thompson (GUY), the lightweight shindig between Erland Maloney (TRI) and Isiah Cave (GUY). The other fights in this category are the lightweight bout between Ahmad Khan (TRI) and Kereem Simon (GUY), the heavyweight match between two Guyanese, Colwyn Benn and Ryan Beaton and the flyweight encounter between Gershom Griffith (TRI) and Ray Gill (GUY). Then there is the boxing aspect of the card which features several local pugilists matching gloves against each other and will be highlighted with a potentially thrilling 10 rounder where former CABOFE bantamweight champion, Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques pits his skills against Venezuelan, Luis Alberto Requena in a 10 rounds flyweight scrap. Requena is no slouch and will be quite aware that his opponent might be a mite r i n g r u s t y. H o w e v e r, Marques has shrugged aside claims of ring rust saying that he is in kittle shape and ready for all comers. A keen battle for top accolades is anticipated. Then there is the catchweight 4 rounder between Anson Green and Charwin Estwick and those fans that witnessed the latter fighter in action will know that Greene will have to be at his best to overcome him. Estwick attacks all night and Green, with a similar disposition, will not want to change his tactics. One could only visualize the concomitant outcome as these two go after each other. Imran Khan and Keeve
Allicock will duke it out in a 6 rounds lightweight match and both fighters have been spewing venom and issuing overt threats. Should this attitude wend its way into the ring one could imagine the ensuing war. The main supporting b o u t w i l l b e a super/middleweight 6 rounds encounter between Edmond Declou and Winston Pompey. Those boxers have fought twice with DeClou being victorious in one while the other ended in a stalemate. Pompey has since journeyed to France where he had enjoyed immense success while Declou had taken a sabbatical. Both are saying that their respective activities will stand them in good stead for tonight’s encounter. Only time will tell! More punches will be thrown when the 2 WBC amateur bouts between bantamweights, Rewinne David, and Akeela Malazon and jnr/welterweights Kelon Isaacs and Euel Augustin get underway. The first is a 4 rounder while the second is over 3 rounds. The betting boys are poised and ready to cast their wagers. Irrespective of who carts off the spoils among them, even the losers will feel satisfied of their money’s worth. Admission $1000 for outer ringside, $2000 for ringside, while those occupying the VIP section will be required to pay $5000. Bell time is 20:00hrs.
t r o Sp Johnson, Doris are joint Sportsmen, Thompson is Sportswoman of the Year -Sports Commission hosts glitzy National Award Ceremony
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry (standing, right), Minister of Legal Affairs, Attorney General, Basil Williams, S.C (standing, second left) and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (left) join the various award winners for a photo opportunity Friday night at the Pegasus Hotel.
Full University of Guyana scholarships for CARIFTA Games team -Director of Sport discloses at National Award Ceremony
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry (right) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Attorney General, Basil Williams S.C (left) share a photo opportunity with the CARITA Games team Friday night at the Pegasus Hotel.
Fiery action envisaged as fighters Holder fifty only spark amidst gloom set Giftland Shopping Mall alight Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210